Boris W. Migliori, 94, a lifelong Haverhill resident, passed quietly at Penacook Place in Haverhill, Saturday night, April 16, 2016, being reunited into eternal life with his beloved wife, Antoinette R. (Rapa) Migliori, who died Dec. 8, 2002.
Born in Haverhill, Feb. 16, 1922, Migliori was the son of the late Peter and Mary (Porro) Migliori and was a graduate of Haverhill High School. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the United States Army Air Corps from Jan. 7, 1943 until his honorable discharge July 20, 1945 . He was a member of the 494th Bombardment Group. As a tail gunner, he flew 40 successful missions in the Pacific. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. For many years he attended reunions with his Squadron and supported the preservation of the B-24 through the Collings Foundation.
He purchased his bike shop from Herbert Richard Sawyer in 1946. He had several locations, the last being the Ginty Boulevard store. He felt it most important that each customer was treated well , and often an inability to pay for a service didn’t matter. His wife Antoinette, who ran the office, banking and finances worked with him every day. After graduating from high school and attending Northern essex Community College, son Arthur joined the family business full time. Migliori’s daughter Martha worked their part time from the time she was 12. Migliori and his shop, H. R. Sawyer Schwinn Bicyclery, was a true landmark in Haverhill. His dedication and impeccable service throughout the years was legendary, evidenced by repeat customers, starting as children, then becoming parents and grandparents,each generation returning to deal with Boris, the man who never forgot your name.
A member of Merrimack Lodge, F. & A.M. of Haverhill for more than 40 years, Boris served as Master of his Lodge in 1982, Chaplain for many years becoming Chaplain Emeritus and was the recipient of the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal.
Migliori was active in the Haverhill community, serving on the board of directors of the YMCA and the Family Mutual Savings Bank. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP, and donated more than 11 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. He supported countless charities and organizations, among them: YMCA, the Boys’ Club, PAL, the Salvation Army, St. Joseph and St. James Elementary Schools, The Sisters of St. Joseph, the Archdiocese of Boston, Calvary Baptist Church, Haverhill Public Library, The American Red Cross, The Boston Symphony Orchestra, WGBH, WCRB, the Metropolitan Opera, and the NBC Symphony of the Air. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy, Victor Emanuel Lodge No. 1646, and the Garibaldi Club.
He leaves his daughter, Martha Bernstein and husband Dr. Lawrence Bernstein of Hadley; son, Arthur Migliori and wife Cynthia DeSando of Haverhill; several generations of nieces and nephews, and a whole community of friends and associates. He was predeceased by his sister, Natalie.
Visiting hours at the Monument Square Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family-Carnevale Funeral Home, 334 Main St., Haverhill will be Friday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., with Masonic Services at 4:30 p.m., conducted by the officers of Merrimack Lodge. A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday morning at 11, at All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, followed by interment in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.
He was a Haverhill hero. Loved people, always willing to help somebody out. An amazing man. I’ve said before and will say it again. they should erect a statue of him some where in town.