Michael P. Pillarella

Michael P. Pillarella, 66, husband of Valerie (Ross) Pillarella, entered into rest Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Aside from his wife of 45 years, he leaves three children, Amy Pillarella of Assonet, Michael J. Pillarella and his wife Lani of Marstons Mills, MA and Timothy J. Pillarella and his wife Allison of Assonet; three grandchildren, Jacob, Madeline and Vincent Pillarella; siblings, Robert Pillarella of Avon, MA and Rosemary Pillarella of Rockport, MA. The founder of EMI Electrical Contractors Inc. and the Owner, Director and Instructor of Pillarella School of Electrical Code & Theory, Michael earned a Masters Degree in Education from Bridgewater State College, a Bachelor of Science, Industrial Arts from Fitchburg State College and Associates Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology from Vermont Technical College. He was past-president and Educational Chairman of the Roger Williams Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, also the past-president of the Bristol County Chapter of the Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association. Michael was also a lifetime member of the National Educational Association and a Member of the Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians. Michael held electrical licenses in MA, RI, VT, NH and Maine. He held educational licenses in four distinct areas, Superintendent/Director, Vocational Education, Department Head and Secondary Principal. Michael served as an Instructor at the Massachusetts Fire Academy focusing on Electrical Safety, Fire and Arson investigation. In the town of Freetown, where he lived for over forty years he served seventeen years as an Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter, ending this portion of his career as Fire Chief. In additional service to our communities Michael served as a Wiring Inspector in the Towns of Freetown and Swansea. He also served as the Chairman of the Freetown Water Department. A Scholarship has been established to continue on Michaels love for Education within the trade and donations may be made to: Michael Pillarella Educational Scholarship Fund ( made payable to M.P.E.S.F.), PO Box 371, Assonet MA 02702. His funeral will be held Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 So. Main St., Fall River, with a funeral mass at St. Bernard Church, Assonet, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation, Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Large parking area & barrier-free entrance at the rear of funeral home. Please omit flowers.