SALEM — Mr. Joseph A. "Pep" Cornacchio Sr., 89, beloved husband of the late Katherine (McKay) Cornacchio, died Monday, July 5, 2010 at the Lafayette Nursing Home in Marblehead.

Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Antonio and Serafina (Dalesio) Cornacchio. He was raised and educated in Salem, attended the Bowdich School and was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1940. He continued his education at St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers and matriculated on to Villanova University and Boston College. One of the City of Salem's most outstanding athletes, Pep starred in football, basketball and track while at Salem High. Under the tutelage of famed Salem High School Football Coach, Bill Broderick, Pep earned a reputation as a powerful blocking back in the single wing formation. His football career continued at the collegiate and semi-pro levels for many years, with the help of his friend and mentor Fred Donovan. He was a fullback for the Ipswich Red Raiders, a semi-professional team, as well as the Salem town team. Pep passed on his wisdom to others through coaching as well. He was the varsity football coach at the former St. Joseph's Academy in the late 1950s and the Saltonstall School.

Salem Football was always a part of Pep's life, from holding the yard markers at the annual Salem vs. Beverly Thanksgiving Day game, to riding on the bus with the team to away games, to handing out the unsung hero award at yearly banquets. Thousands of football players from Salem High School and the former St. Joseph High School looked up to the great example and guidance Pep provided.

An honorably discharged veteran, Pep served his country as a member of the United States Army, Air Corps during World War II. He served his years in the Army as a member of the 112th Air Base Unit in Alaska. Pep was employed by the Mass Electric Company for over 42 years, retiring in 1985. With Pep's affable nature, he worked as Mass Electric's Consumer Service Representative. He started as a dispatcher and worked his way up the ranks of the company. Pep's involvement in community service is second to none; he has dedicated almost an entire lifetime as a volunteer member of practically every committee that has been formed in the City of Salem. He was a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club, the Salvation Army Board of Directors, the City of Salem Parks and Recreation Committee, the Salem YMCA Board of Directors, the Pioneer Village Restoration Commission, the Board of the American Red Cross, the Advisory Committee on Equitable Education, the Naumkeag Board of Directors, the Salem Fraternity Board (now the Salem Boys and Girls Club), the Market and Tourism Commission, the North Shore United Way Board of Directors, the Winter Island Committee, the Salem Heritage Days Committee, the Salem Rotary Club, the Salem Lions Club and the Salem Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was a member of the Parish Council at the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem, where he was a faithful communicant. In addition, he was an Honorary Member of the House of Seven Gables Settlement Association and the Salem Council on Aging as well as a founding member of both the Salem High Football Boosters and the Salem Willows Men's Club (Juniper Beach Association). In his own words: "I never, never said no to any organization, I grew up loving people and I wanted to give back what I received from the many people who guided me."

Throughout his life of volunteering, Pep has received numerous awards including The City of Salem's Lifetime Service Award and the dedication of Pep Cornacchio Square in Salem, directly adjacent to his beloved Bertram Field. Pep was one of Salem's most friendly widely known and liked residents. He will be greatly missed by all.

Pep is survived by his daughters, Patricia E. Cornacchio and her fiance Roger LaMontagne of Salem and Mary K. Cornacchio and her husband Matthew Perakis of Ipswich; his sons, Joseph A. Cornacchio Jr. and his wife Kathy Wrede of Jakarta, Indonesia, James M. Cornacchio and his wife Clare Culhane of Ipswich, Kevin P. Cornacchio and his wife Margaret of Salem, Dr. Thomas P. Cornacchio and his wife Susan of Ipswich and Neil J. Cornacchio of Salem; 12 grandchildren; his sister, Gloria Mancini and her husband John of Elkridge, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Mario Cornacchio and Norma Cornachio.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from The O'Donnell Funeral Home, 46 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem, Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by his funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. Online guestbook at www.legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Pep's memory to the Pep Cornacchio Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O TD Bank, 23 Market St., Ipswich, MA 01938