Atty. Michael J. Noferi

Atty. Michael J. Noferi, 77, of Milford, died Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Milford Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband to Geraldine (Pilla) Noferi, proud father to Jennifer and Matthew and beloved “Dips” to his grandchildren William, Andrew, Jonathan, Maggie and Quinn.

Mike was born in Milford, Massachusetts on March 7, 1943, to Louis and Mary (Gac). After his mother passed away when he was four months old, Mike was raised by his aunt Rose (Noferi) and uncle Lou Polito in Hopedale, Massachusetts. He attended St. Mary’s parochial school and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1960. Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1964 and his Jurist Doctorate from Suffolk Law School in 1973.

Mike began his professional career as a social studies and math teacher at Milford High School where he was class advisor to two classes, coached softball and served on the teacher’s negotiating team. He left teaching after four years to work at Honeywell Corporation in Wellesley, MA before joining his brother in the practice of law.

Outgoing, kindhearted and always ready with a really bad pun, Mike devoted his life to three things: the town of Milford, youth sports – especially Milford Youth Baseball, and his family.

While Mike was attending UMass, his aunt and uncle moved to Milford and thus began Mike’s commitment to public service. His time teaching at Milford High School led him to run for a seat on the Board of Selectman.  And in 1969, he became the youngest selectman in the state of Massachusetts. He served the town in this capacity for six years. In 1975, he chose not to run for re-election, and instead, ran for the office of town moderator – a position which, gavel in hand, he proudly held for forty-four years until his death. 

Mike loved all sports. He was an avid tennis player as a young man, playing in many tournaments at the Milford Town Park. When his nieces became interested in the sport, Mike helped run USTA sanctioned tournaments at the Milford High School courts. However, Mike’s true love, baseball, began on the fields of Hopedale and continued at St. Mary’s High School where he holds the distinction of throwing the pitch that resulted in the first out-of-the-park homerun at Milford’s Fino Field.  Since his hopes of a Major League contract seemed unlikely, Mike turned his attention to coaching and management. In 1969, he became the Vice President of the Milford Junior League and President of the Milford Babe Ruth League while coaching town teams of various ages. Then, after taking a short hiatus, he returned to the field to coach his daughter’s softball and his son’s baseball teams.  He continued to stay active with Milford Youth Baseball long after his son hung up his cleats, serving as league treasurer for many years. And, when his first grandchild was old enough, he happily accepted a position as T-ball coach and continued to coach each of his grandchildren.  Mike loved spending time at Rosie Park, holding practices or talking with fans about how to bring back the popularity of baseball.

However, nothing could come close to Mike’s devotion to his family.  In August of 1971, he married the love of his life, Gerry, and they spent forty-nine years together - without one argument (he always claimed).  Mike loved spending time on the Cape, doing yard work with Gerry, emceeing and “photographing” the annual Pilla Christmas party and hosting family barbeques where he would organize wiffle ball games and bocce tournaments. When get-togethers moved indoors, Mike would take out the latest board game, sit in his seat at the head of his dining room table and round up willing participants. Most recently, he could be found at all of his grandchildren’s events, no matter how small, camera around his neck, ready to talk to anyone within earshot about his grandchildren.

Mike is survived by Geraldine (Pilla) Noferi, and their two children: Jennifer Brown and her husband Zachary of Milford; and Matthew Noferi and his wife Lauren (Murray) of Dunstable; five grandchildren: William, Andrew & Jonathan Brown; and Maggie & Quinn Noferi; his brother: Louis J. Noferi; and many nieces and nephews. Mike is preceded in death by his sister Barbara (Noferi) DiVitto.

His funeral will be held Friday (October 30th)  at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (UPPER CHURCH), 7 East Main Street, Milford, MA. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford MA. Visiting hours will be Thursday (October 29th) from 4pm to 7pm.

Social distancing protocols & use of face masks will be required for all facets of the funeral services.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry or the Legacy of Faith Restoration fund at Milford Sacred Heart of Jesus or a charity of your choice.

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