Paul G. Allegra, 87
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Paul George Allegra, 87, of 45 Spring St. died Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at North Adams Commons.
Born on Jan. 25, 1927, in Ahmeek, Mich., to Orazio Allegra and Francesca Ventura Allegra Mattucci of Taormina, Italy, his family moved to Rensselaer, N.Y., when he was 1 year old. He later lived in Menands and Albany, N.Y., and moved to North Adams at age 25.
Mr. Allegra was a Teamster and worked for more than 25 years, retiring from Petricca Construction Co. as a uke dump truck and heavy equipment operator. He had first worked for Morin Roofing and, while in Albany, was a prizefighter, a firefighter at Hook and Ladder No. 4 on Delaware Avenue, and a roofer for Guy Bruttell Roofing.
He was a past president of the Stamford (Vt.) Fish and Game Association. He was a superior marksman and an overall skeet shooting champion, winning numerous awards throughout New England. He was an accomplished hunter and fisherman, making annual trips to Iowa bird hunting and Maine for game. He had a terrific smile and was known to many as "Uncle Paul."
He was predeceased by his wife, the former Theresa Canale Wisher, whom he married on Sept. 2, 1967.
He leaves his son, Paul A. Allegra Jr. of Norfolk, Va.; a daughter, Elaine Bushika of Springdale, Maine; five grandchildren Demetrius Allegra, April Allegra Gonzales, Paul Allegra, Susan Allegra, and Jason Allegra; seven great-grandchildren; a nephew, Richard Spinosa of Albany and nieces Frances Allegra Gullinese of Colonie, N.Y., Gracie Allegra Annello Oakes of Nassau, N.Y., and Barbara Canale-Schmidt, who was like a daughter to him, and her husband, Karl Schmidt, and several cousins.
He also leaves Lori and Dennis Austin of Palm Coast, Fla., and Amber DeMarsico Birkland and her husband, Josh, and their children from Adams, who were also like family to him.
He was predeceased by daughters Patricia Allegra Milano and Susan Allegra, both of Albany, N.Y., and his siblings Minnie Marta, Mary Marie Spinosa Connor, Dominic Allegra, Grace Canale, Frances Allegra, Marie Allegra, his stepchildren Margaret and Dennis Wisher, and his longtime companion, Virginia Gould.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Allegra will be Monday, Feb. 17, at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Burial will be in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Feb. 16, from 2 to 5 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams.
Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 or through the funeral home.