Leon J Pernice

The Pernice family sadly announces the passing of LEON J. PERNICE (“LP”), surrounded by his loving family on January 21, 2024 at Mercy Hospital. Leon was 92 years old and until a few weeks before his passing, he worked diligently in the profession he loved – an Architect with great talent and vision at the helm of the Firm he founded in 1963, Leon Pernice and Associates, Inc. Born Mar 13, 1931 to Joseph and Eunice (Borelli) Pernice, he grew up in the “Merrick” section and spent most of his life in West Springfield, graduated from West Springfield High School, Harvard College and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. In 1952, Leon married his high school sweetheart, Yolande (Govoni) and they settled in West Springfield. One of his first designs as an Architect was his own home in West Springfield. Here he and his wife “Yo” lovingly worked together and raised their four children. Over the years their home was the place where family and friends gathered – celebrating holidays, birthdays and graduations as well as hosting many fund-raising and business events. Leon was a voracious reader of the classics, adventure and spy novels. Many years ago he began researching and documenting his family tree, an accomplishment he was proud of and completed in December 2023. He loved gardening, skiing trips to Vermont, and was a formidable tennis player. He spent much of his leisure time saltwater fishing with his sons at the Cape and in Florida. He loved tying his own flies and fly fishing with his brother, Bob, in and around local trout streams and rivers. He travelled extensively throughout Europe and brought each of his children to his homeland in Italy. Upon return, the family would gather around the slide projector to relive the adventures, the people, the places and especially the art galleries. Earlier in his career, Leon designed several private homes in addition to his own. His respect and appreciation for the design elements of Frank Lloyd Wright were reflected in his work, especially evident in his own home, most of which he custom designed and built. His contemporary style of design can be seen throughout Western Massachusetts, notably LPA’s many housing projects for elderly and disabled families, including Linden Towers Apartments and Seniority House Apartments in Springfield and McKinley House in Chicopee. For several years his firm has worked with several Massachusetts state and federally funded housing authorities renovating and modernizing aging housing developments with a focus on improving the lives of the elderly and families. His designs also included several municipal office buildings in area cities and towns. Throughout his sixty years of experience, he developed many long-standing, respected, professional and personal relationships with the clients he served and consultants and contractors he worked with on a daily basis. Early in his career he designed the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club, alterations to the original West Springfield Public Library and the North Adams City Hall – for which his firm received a design award from the American Institute of Architects. Additionally, one of the firm’s several projects at Smith College was recognized with an award of merit from the Northampton Historical Commission. Leon’s many years of experience can also be seen in completed projects at Mercy Hospital, Noble Hospital and several area church and religious structures of various denominations, including, Saint Anthony’s Maronite Church in Springfield, the First Methodist Church, Westfield and additions and alterations to his own parish, St. Ann’s in West Springfield. He was a devout Catholic, parishioner and lector at St. Ann’s. There he re-designed the church’s sanctuary where his “radial” design approach was considered ahead of its time. Earlier in his life he was an active member of the West Springfield community and its civic organizations – the Rotary Club, the Elks and UNICO, among others. Professionally he was a member of the American Institute of Architects and past president of its Western Massachusetts chapter, past president of the Massachusetts Association of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the Harvard Club of Western Massachusetts. Leon was predeceased by his beloved wife, Yolande in 2005 and his son, Leon, Jr. in February 2023. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving children David Pernice of West Springfield, his daughters Lisa Pernice-Gomes (husband, David) of West Springfield and Nina Cunningham (husband, Robert) of Bradenton, Florida, his brother, Robert (wife, Mary) Pernice of Holbrook, MA and many cousins, nieces and nephews. “Nonno” was especially loved by his grandchildren, Andrea, Greg, Mark, Allie, John, Anna, Sharlotte, Kai, Ashley and Nick, all of their spouses and partners who came to know him so dearly, and his great-grandchildren, Maeve, Emerson, Patrick, Eleanor, Julia, Robinson, Adeline, Winslow, Nicholas, Lucie, Andrew and Mason. Leon was a man of great faith, quiet confidence, generosity, and persevering spirit. He loved and cherished his family. He was always there for us in our times of joy and our times of need. We will continue to honor this great man and hold him close to our hearts. Most of all we will miss him dearly. We love you, Dad. Rest in peace.

Calling hours: Friday, February 2nd, 4pm – 7pm, Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA. Funeral Mass: Saturday, February 3rd, 11:00 am, St. Thomas the Apostle, 47 Pine Street, West Springfield, MA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Sisters of Providence, Office of the President, 5 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org .