Julius Calvi, former N.A. Mayor, Dies at 91

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Julius Calvi
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Former North Adams Mayor Julius M. Calvi, 91, of 75 Chenaille Terrace died Thursday evening, Jan. 22, 2009, at home.

Long active in politics, Mr. Calvi served as mayor from 1956 to 1958. He was a member of the City Council from 1952 to 1956; the Board of Appeals from 1951 to 1954 and was assessor from 1960 to 1966. He was also a member of the North Adams School Committee from 1956 to 1958.

Born in North Adams on May 19, 1917, a son of Joseph and Lena Cantone Calvi, he attended local schools. He completed an associate of arts degree from Suffolk University in 1948 and received his law degree from the New England School of Law in 1951.

An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he served from Oct. 4, 1942, until his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal on Feb. 10, 1946.

Mr. Calvi was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1951 and admitted to the U.S. Tax Court in 1970. He maintained a law practice in North Adams for many years and was active in many civic organizations. He was president of the Berkshire Bar Association in 1962 and from 1968 to 1970 he was a member of its Executive Committee and Grievance Committee.

He was a lifelong communicant of the former St. Anthony of Padua Church and was longtime member of Taconic Golf Club.

He leaves his wife, the former Mary Ann Siciliano, whom he married on Dec. 27, 1960, in St. Anthony's Church, and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers Raymond Calvi and Bernard Joseph Calvi, who was killed in the Philippines in World War II.

FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Calvi will be Monday, Jan. 26, at 10:15 from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, formerly St. Anthony's Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. 

Calling hours at the funeral home will be Sunday from 2 to 4. Memorial donations may be made to North Adams Ambulance Service, VNA and Hospice of Northern Berkshire or to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in care of the funeral home.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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