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 Nicholas Speranzo
December 23, 2001
Nicholas J. Speranzo of 10 Union Court, longtime chairman of the Pittsfield Housing Authority and a labor leader, died Sunday at his home. He was 82.
Mr. Speranzo served on the Housing Authority's governing board for 30 years. Among the accomplishments of which he was particularly proud was the establishment of a grievance procedure for tenants of subsidized housing. He also encouraged the formation of tenant groups, an action that may well have been rooted in Mr. Speranzo's extensive union background. A former president of IUE Locals 254 and 255 at General Electric Co., Mr. Speranzo also served as secretary of what is now known as the Central Berkshire Labor Council.
Mr. Speranzo worked at GE from 1947 until vision problems forced his retirement in 1972. Legally blind for 25 years, Mr. Speranzo lost the sight in one eye to glaucoma in 1962, according to Eagle files, and battled cataracts in his right eye.
Captain of his high school football team, Mr. Speranzo later played semiprofessional football for the North Adams Blue Devils.
Mr. Speranzo told an interviewer in 1972 that his inability to read anything but headlines in the newspaper was something he intended to take in stride.
"I'm no hero," he said. "I have strong desire to represent people and I do the job."
In the same article, Mr. Speranzo was described as being "cool, tough-minded and tenacious."
Nicholas Joseph Speranzo was born in Pittsfield on Dec. 6, 1919, son of James and Marianna Carchedi Speranzo. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Joseph's Central High School.
Mr. Speranzo was a member of the General Electric Athletic Association, where he also worked as a bartender, and served as past president of the Pittsfield chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. He was a member of UNICO of Pittsfield and of the board of directors of the Pittsfield Boys' and Girls' Club and, in 1995, received an award for 45 years of service to the club.
He served on the board of directors of the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP), Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire Community College, the YMCA and Hillcrest Hospital. He was a lifelong member of the Pittsfield Democratic City Committee and was a candidate for Berkshire County treasurer in 1978. In 1983, he was inducted into the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.
He leaves his wife, the former Ethel Mae Potter, whom he married March 3, 1946; a son, Nicholas S. Speranzo of Becket; a daughter, Carol L. Speranzo of Pittsfield; a sister, Josephine Belini of Pittsfield; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Edward J. Speranzo, who died May 14, 1976, a brother, Steven Speranzo, and a sister, Mary Grace Teti. Also survived by his loving daughter-in-law, Patricia D. Speranzo.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 28, at 8:15 a.m. from the DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, celebrated by the Rev. Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at Dery Funeral Home will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either HospiceCare of the Berkshires or Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club, both in care of the funeral home.
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