Remembering Pep

Although Pep Cornacchio spent nearly all of his 89 years in Salem, I didn’t know his first name until I read it in his obituary. To me, he was just "Pep"- a fitting knick name for someone with such unparalleled enthusiasm and energy for the hometown he loved. So much so, I half expected "the City of Salem" to be listed as one of the family members he sadly leaves behind.

I came to know Pep the same way so many of us did, through his dedication and commitment to community service groups and philanthropic causes throughout the City of Salem. A regular fixture at Boys & Girls Club and Stephen O’Grady Foundation events, he would exclaim "God Bless You" each time he saw me, his large hands warmly enveloping mine with a strength reminiscent of his years as a football star. "You do good work" he’d say with a knowing smile. Because community service was something Pep knew well. His long list of altruistic accomplishments could make the most dedicated volunteer appear lazy- a list of organizations and causes so long, I could hardly read them all without taking a nap in the middle.

This jam packed daily schedule that would exhaust the best of us is exactly what kept Pep motivated. He was energized by the many events he felt blessed to be able to participate in, and inspired by the companionship of his fellow citizens. His family marveled at his intensive daily schedule, which he methodically planned hour by hour, from morning through evening, including everything from funerals to weddings, from meetings to fundraisers. This posed quite a challenge to Pep’s family when he could no longer drive himself to the multitude of events he felt compelled to attend, but where there is a will, there is a way. And while Pep had plenty of will, so did his family who coordinated their efforts to make sure he didn’t miss a beat. And with his multitude of friends, transporting Pep to where he needed to be became a team sport via a personal transit system with more daily stops than the MBTA.

If you wanted to know more about Pep, you had to look no further than his collection of lapel pins, which doubled as his resume, representing various pieces of his life from his military service to his community service. They told of the places he had been, and people he had met along the way. And if you took the time to ask, he would happily tell you the story behind each one of them. Even one of my Boston Marathon pins made the cut.

Simply put, Pep was a great citizen, unusual in a time when people rarely plant their roots in the same place for more than a few years, nevermind a lifetime. And amidst the speculation that we are becoming an increasingly self-centered generation, Pep was the antithesis of this trend. He had a tremendous sense of gratitude towards his community for providing him with so much opportunity and fulfillment in his life. So much so that he made it his life calling to return the favor.

Behind the public persona, Pep was blessed with a loving extended family that spanned several generations, wonderful friends of all ages from every walk of life, and a strong faith that was the foundation he built his wonderful life upon.

And a wonderful life it was. God Bless You, Pep. You will be greatly missed.