Bellingham Memorializes Sal Pilla with Town Square in His Honor
From Left to right: Lliam Dufresne, Timothy Cole, Bethany Cloutier, Benjamin Butensky. Not in photo but in attendance was Captain Donovan.
by Lori Fafard, Bellingham Memorial Day Parade/Veterans Committee
This past Memorial Day, around 50 Bellingham residents came to pay tribute to one of Bellingham’s beloved veterans, “Sal” Pilla. Sal was a WW II Army Staff Sergeant veteran who lived to be around 100 years old. He survived D Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
Photos used courtesty of Bellingham Memorial Day Parade/Veterans Committee
To many people in town, Sal was a legend and good friend. Also, many Bellingham residents would get to know him because he was a fixture at Market Basket for many, many years during his retirement. In addition, he worked for the Bellingham Fire Department (See photo) for 20 years, serving as a Lieutenant.
Jim Hastings, chairman of the Memorial Day Parade/Veterans Day Committee, welcomed all the residents that turned out for the ceremony, and Father Mullen, pastor from St. Brendan’s Church, said a few words about “Sal,” who was a communicant in his parish and blessed his Square. Richard Ranieri, former Fire Chief, spoke kind words about Lieutenant Pilla, serving on the town’s Fire Department.
Sal’s Memorial Square stands at the corner of Ray Avenue and Maple Street, the area where “Sal” lived. His Memorial Square joins the other 15 in town.
