Paul Piemonte of Salem died peacefully on October 22, 2026 in Wilmington. He was 69.
He was born and raised in Salem, the son of Joseph and Kay (Kirchmier) Piemonte, and graduated from Salem High School in 1976. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Daniel Webster College.
He made his living in manufacturing and as a boatsmith, and woodworking was the thread that ran through all of it. His family says his skill showed most in his marine carpentry and in the work he put into rebuilding his first home, in Peabody. When a relative had a house project that called for a real craftsman, he was the one who got the call, and he came.
He was a musician as well, at home on both the banjo and the trumpet, and a serious home cook. Putting a meal he had made in front of the people he loved was his favorite way to spend a day. He was easy to talk to, quick in conversation and made friends without effort, and people felt at home around him. His family came first.
He leaves his son, Joseph Piemonte, and his wife, Michaela, of Salem; his sisters, Mary Douglas Harrington and Cathy Wilkins; his brothers, Mark Piemonte and Kurt Piemonte; many nieces and nephews; and his granddogs, Caddie and Buffett.
His wife, Dennise (Cleary) Piemonte, died before him, as did his parents and his brother Peter Piemonte.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, November 21, 2026 at noon at the Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square West, Salem. A private burial at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem will take place beforehand. Arrangements are by O’Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations, 84 Washington Square East, Salem.
Compiled from information published by O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. Photograph courtesy of the family via O'Donnell Cremations, Funerals, Celebrations. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.
