WESTFIELD: Robert “Chico” Veronesi passed away at home on Monday, February 21, 2022. Bob was born on May 13, 1939, and lived in Westfield
all of his life. He graduated from Westfield High School, then served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years on active and reserve duty. Returning home, he was a letter carrier for the Westfield Post Office for 36 years. He served on the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1978. He is well-known by generations of athletes and their families throughout western Massachusetts as one of the region’s premier softball umpires and basketball officials. His career included college, high school, adult and youth leagues. He was also very proud of the fact that he had visited all 50 states.
Surviving Bob are his wife Karen Veronesi of Westfield; children Gina Footit (John) of East Longmeadow, Lisa Klinkowski (Brad) of Southwick, and Robby Veronesi of Arlington, VA; grandchildren Jenna (John), Chris, Andrew, Doug, and Lexie; great-grandchildren Luke, Theo, Marcus, and Eloise; nieces Karen (Michael), Laura, and Danielle (Adam); and his canine love, Winnie. He is predeceased by his son, Nicholas Veronesi, parents Louis and Theresa Veronesi, brother Louis Veronesi and first-wife, Gail Spinney Veronesi.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA, with the funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA, 01001. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following groups that were special to Bob’s heart: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA, 22314; Westfield, MA Parks and Recreation Department, 4 Holcomb Street, Westfield, MA, 01085; Massachusetts General Hospital (Healey Center for ALS), 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA, 02114; MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA. 02130. Firtionadams.com
