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September 18, 2015Monsignor Rocco M. Piccolomini, Servant of God, age 69, of Worcester, was greeted by the Angels of Our Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 18, at Saint Vincent Hospital.Monsignor was a Roman Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Worcester, and was the former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Parish in Worcester.He is survived by his loving sister, Elisa F. Devin and her husband John of Leominster; three nieces and a nephew, Kristen Consalvo, Kelly Hunt, Kristina Boulanger, and Michael Devin; four aunts, Eda Tocci, Rena DiNatale, Concetta Dandini all of Leominster, and Shirley Piccolomini of Centerville; an uncle, Nunzio Piermarini of Chicago; five great nephews and one great niece; and many cousins. Monsignor Rocco is also survived by his dear friends, Michael Martin, Charles Genovesi, and Francis Celularo; his brothers in the Priesthood, and his "extended family" throughout the parishes he served.Monsignor's family wishes to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the doctors, nurses, and their support staff at the Critical Care Unit at Saint Vincent Hospital. Their care, compassion, and prayers are appreciated.A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated September 21 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester.
Donations in Monsignor Rocco's memory should be made to Saint John's, Food for The Poor, 44 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
Msgr. Rocco M. Piccolomini was born on Dec. 17, 1945, in Leominster, the son of Pietro and Santina (Piermarini) Piccolomini.
He attended Julie Country Day School and St. Leo Elementary School in
Leominster and graduated from Notre Dame High School, Fitchburg. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Fitchburg Sate College in 1968. From 1967 to 1975 he was an actor and later associate producer at Eugene S. Cassassa's High Tor Summer Theater.
He taught in the Leominster school system from 1968 to 1970 and again in 1980 and 1981. He taught at Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg from 1972 to 1979 and was headmaster from 1976 to 1978. He taught at University High School in San Diego, Cal., from 1979 to 1980. He also completed graduate study in theater, speech and drama in 1971 at the University of Kansas.
He studied for the priesthood at the Theological College of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., from 1981 to 1985 and received a Master's of Divinity degree.
He was ordained a priest on June 8, 1985, by Bishop Harrington in St. Paul Cathedral.
He was named associate pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Worcester, on June 21, 1985. On Aug. 12, 1988, he was appointed a member of the Priests' Personnel Board. He served as associate pastor of Holy Angels Parish, Upton, from June 30, 1989, until Feb. 22, 1991, when he was named vicar for priests and administrator of St. John Vianney House.
In 1996 he was chosen by the Columbus Day Parade Committee to be grand marshal of the Columbus Day Parade in Worcester.
He was named secretary to the bishop in February 2001. He was appointed temporary administrator of Our Lady of Loreto in November 2005, while remaining Vicar for Priests. In July of 2006 he began serving as Director of Priest Personnel, while remaining as temporary administrator of Our Lady of Loreto.
He was named pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Ann Parish on June 30, 2007, while remaining director of priest personnel before resigning that position on July 1, 2008.
He was named a prelate of honor with the title of monsignor on February 26, 2009, and was invested in Aug. 14, 2009. He retired Oct. 12, 2012.
At the time of his death he had been helping at St. John Parish, Temple Street, Worcester.