Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 11, 2025 FOR ALL SEASONS | FROM PAGE 1 served in an appointed role on the town’s Council on Aging. In addition, he contributed to many noble causes in his neighborhood, the community and the area. His civic activities included being a member of the Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Indian Rock Supportive Housing (IRSH) and usher at Blessed Sacrament Church in Saugus. Palleschi was also an active member in the Saugus Lions Club and the Saugus Knights of Columbus. “I could go on for days with all of Bob’s accomplishments, including saving the Saugus Public Library from closing permanently and being Acting Town Manager,” Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo said in “a sad Shout Out” to The Saugus Advocate last week. “But Bob would not want that because he was such a kind, humble man. He never sought accolades. He was always there when friends and Saugus needed him. I am honored he considered me his friend and I will miss him. May he RIP.” Town Clerk Ellen Schena said this week that Palleschi’s Town Meeting seat will probably remain vacant until the Nov. 4 town election because there isn’t a current need for a replacement, as there are no Special Town Meetings scheduled before the elecLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net tion. Former Town Meeting Member Stefano D’Anna, who finished sixth in the race for five seats in the 2023 town election, would be eligible to replace Palleschi if needed and if he wants to fill the position. “If a Special Town Meeting is called, I will notify that person,” Schena said. Meanwhile, there’s a vacant seat on the Saugus Housing Authority, which Palleschi has held since being appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker seven years ago. Housing Authority Chair John Cannon said Palleschi’s seat on the authority won’t be filled until Gov. Maura Healey appoints someone. “The governor has a lot of things on her plate, so we’re not expecting the seat to be filled for a while,” Cannon said. Cannon called the passing of Palleschi a huge loss for the town. “He was a wonderful human being and a great guy. He did a lot for the town,” Cannon said. He put the town and its people first Many longtime participants in Saugus town government regarded Palleschi as an asset to the town. In 2015, he served as the temporary town manager for six months. Soon after moving to Saugus 48 years ago, the Lynn native got involved in A TOAST TO THE TOWN HE LOVED: The late Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member Robert A. “Bob” Palleschi relaxed after an interview two years ago. His death last month leaves three vacancies in the town’s nonpaid municipal government and on a number of various volunteer community boards. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) local government. He served for 36 years on the Finance Committee, including 12 years as its chair. The town benefited from his financial acumen, which stemmed from his 48 years of work for Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Cambridge, retiring in 2012 as the Deputy Director of Operations and Finance. In a recent tribute posted on the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home webpage, longtime Finance Committee Chair Kenneth DePatto called Palleschi “an incredible person who always put the Town of Saugus and the people of Saugus first.” “He was an unassuming person and I remember clearly the night that I convinced him to accept the nomination to be the Finance Committee Chairman. He had to be convinced that he was the best and most qualified person for the job as he never looked to be in the spotlight,” DePatto said. “I personally will miss Bobby and he will be greatly missed in our town by his many friends,” he said. Palleschi was a friendly guy who was very approachable. He loved his time living in Saugus, for almost a half century. He and his wife Ellen (Erekson) were married for 55 years. During an interview with The Saugus Advocate in a local coffee shop two years ago in preparation for the “Saugus Over Coffee” series (cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library and broadcast by SaugusTV), Palleschi was asked what he regarded as his biggest accomplishment in local government that he was most proud of. “The one I’m most proud of is when a former manager allocated zero money for the library budget, and I took to the Town Meeting floor and I made a quote like ‘When did I move to a Third World FOR ALL SEASONS | SEE PAGE 3
3 Publizr Home