Domenic T. Pallaria, 79, of Lancaster, New Hampshire passed away peacefully
surrounded by his family in the evening hours of July 11, 2022. He was born
October 26, 1942 in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Theresa (Mastriani) and Joseph
Palleria, both of whom predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his sister
Adelina.
After spending his childhood in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Domenic received his
Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the Boston
Conservatory of Music where he studied clarinet and conducting under Mr.
Attilio Poto, a former member of the Boston Symphony. Upon graduation in
1965, he took a position as a band and chorus instructor in the Gorham School
District.
In 1966, Domenic was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he took his musical
talents with him and played in the Army band. After his discharge from the
Army, he taught for a brief period in Maryland.
Domenic began his 30-year distinguished career as an instructor and band
director for the White Mountains Regional School District in 1971. He alone
taught instrumental lessons for elementary and junior high students in
Jefferson, Lancaster, and Whitefield as well as the students at White Mountain
Regional High School until his retirement in 2001.
Mr. Pallaria, or “Mr. P”, devoted his life to teaching his students to appreciate
and understand music, instilling in them discipline and self-respect. He guided
scores of students to live up to their potential and led the WMRHS band to
winning countless first place trophies, Grade A and superior ratings, and
regularly outscoring bands from much larger schools: “Excuses are interesting
but unimportant, all that counts is results”.
In 1994, the band was honored to be selected by the State to represent New
Hampshire in an American Salute to the veterans of World War II in Washington
D.C. where they played for large crowds in front of the Lincoln Memorial and
Pentagon.
In addition to his musical talent, Domenic also enjoyed theater, spending
summers in Vermont during his college years constructing sets and performing
at the Weston Playhouse. In the 1970s Dom and Lou Leaver cofounded the
Colonel Town Players in Lancaster. Dom also started the White Mountain Players
theater program at WMRHS, directing many plays.
Dom enjoyed sports: fishing, watching football and WWE wrestling and coaching
high school softball teams. But his love was golf. Dom was a skilled golfer,
lowering his handicap to 10 at his peak, and enjoyed spending many days on
the Waumbec and Maplewood courses, playing with long-time golfing buddies.
His proudest moment was when he sank a Hole-in-One at the Maplewood
Country Club in 1998, tarnished only slightly when he realized that the tradition
was to buy drinks for all the attendees.
Dom spent the past 3 years preparing an alumni concert to honor the 50th year
of the WMRHS band. Over 60 of his former students, ranging from the class of
1979 to 2001, returned to honor him and performed three selected pieces at
the Pop’s Concert in May of this year. Four of his grandchildren, with their own
musical talents, joined the band as well to honor Papa. Although Dom wasn’t
able to direct as planned, he was able to participate and enjoy the fruits of his
labor. His family is humbled and honored at the showing of love and respect
and will be forever grateful to Michael Martins, the current WMRHS band
director, for helping bring him this truly wonderful and fulfilling night.
Domenic leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 34 years, Donna
(Radsky); children, Kelley Stafford and husband, Robert; Molly Harrigan and
husband, Thomas; Kathryn Morier Whitaker and husband Gerry; Christine
Morier Falcone and husband Evan: niece Barbara Haith and husband, Malcolm;
nephew William Duffney, wife, Kim and great-nephew Joey. He also leaves his
grandchildren, Riley, Sarah, Rose, and Rachel Stafford; Alex and Grady
Harrigan.
Calling hours will be held at Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster, NH on Friday,
August 5th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial service will take place at the
Bailey Funeral Home on Saturday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Domenic’s name to WMRHS band
127 Regional Road, Whitefield NH 03598 or The Morrison Skilled Nursing
Facility, 6 Terrace Street, Whitefield, NH 03598 - Morrison Donations
Domenic T. Pallaria, 79, of Lancaster, New Hampshire passed away peacefully
surrounded by his family in the evening hours of July 11, 2022. He was born
October 26, 1942 in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Theresa (Mastriani) and Joseph
Palleria, both of whom predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his sister
Adelina.
After spending his childh