Joseph P Vignaly Sr

Joseph P. Vignaly, Sr. 82, a longtime resident of West Boylston passed away peacefully Friday December 6, 2013, surrounded by his family. Joe was born December 27, 1930 in Worcester, the son of Joseph and Erminia (Ginassi) Vignaly. His wife of 45 years Phyllis (Baroni) Vignaly passed away in 2004. He is predeceased by his two sisters Dina Forehand and Diva D'Olympio. Joe is survived by the family he cherished, his three sons and their wives, Joseph P. Vignaly, Jr. and his wife Katherine, Vincent P. Vignaly and his wife Janet, Michael J. Vignaly Sr. and his wife Rebecca all of West Boylston; four grandchildren who adored him and he them, Jonathan, Lauren, Michael Jr. and Phillip Vignaly; a niece Christine (Baroni) Nolli, extended family and many friends. He grew up in Worcester, graduated from Commerce High School and earned his bachelor's degree from St Michael's College in Vermont. While studying for his Masters in Social Work at Catholic University, he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War serving in the Medical Corps. In 1959, Joe joined the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Welfare office as a social worker; he rose through the ranks to the position of Regional Director for the Department of Transitional Assistance before retiring in 1992 after 33 years of service. He received a key to the City of Worcester for his efforts. When not busy with his children and grandchildren, Joe volunteered his time assisting at nursing homes, hospice agencies and the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. Joe was extremely involved in his community as a Eucharistic Minister and a St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. For his work with the St Vincent de Paul Society, he received the Top Hat award. He was a founding member of the West Boylston Housing Authority serving from 1980-1993, and was a member of the Eastside American Legion Post 201, and participated in many Public Welfare Conferences serving as president in 1970. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Thursday, December 12th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be held Friday, December 13th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Good Counsel where his funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am. Burial next to his wife will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in Joe's name can be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Rd, West Boylston MA 01583. Members of the Eastside Post 201 will meet at 630 pm Thursday in the funeral home to conduct their ritual.