Pieman passes
Longtime advocate for R.I.’s charitable causes Joseph C. Sadlier dies
Longtime community charity advocate Sadlier dies
PAWTUCKET – Known around the city as “The Pieman,” Joseph C. Sadlier was perhaps best regarded for his fresh-baked pies that he provided for various fundraisers and events throughout Pawtucket. But Sadlier dwas also known by those close to him as a humble man who was a tireless advocate for those in his community.
Sadlier, 83, died on Wednesday. Among Sadlier’s accolades include being named the Face of Ireland in the city’s 1999 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a 2000 inductee to the Pawtucket Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the Daily Point of Light award in 2001 from then-President George W. Bush.
Sadlier was the son of Beatrice (Coleman) and Joseph Sadlier and was married to Vivian (Reilly) Sadlier for 59 years. He was the father of Joan Corey, Paula Fontaine, Catherine Sadlier Ciresi, Rachel Williams, and Joseph Sadlier. r Nicknamed “The Pieman,” Sadlier sold his famous meat pies for fundraisers throughout the city for The fTimes’ Summertime Fund, Fontaine said. He also sold dhis pies at various events across Pawtucket.
“He was very humble … He loved food and feeding people,” Fontaine said.
Suzanne Mailhot, president of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association explained that Sadlier would “bake the meat pies and if they had functions, he’d make them to sell at bazaars, fundraisers,” she said. “He’d make meat pies for different functions for the city or for churches. He started out making these French meat pies and continued making them at Fogarty Manor, I don’t know who came up with the name, but that’s how the nickname stuck with him.”
Adrienne Marchetti, executive director with the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, said that Sadlier was always willing to cook for the soup kitchen and its patrons and he was most notable for baking his popular apple pies. He would also prepare clam cakes and chowder for the kitchen.
“He was a very kind man, always looking to help,” Marchetti said. “He was willing to cook for us … He’s definitely somebody who is part of our fabric, our patchwork quilt.”
Arthur Eichholz, a close family friend, explained that Sadlier’s popular clam cakes and chowder would often be seen at a myriad of fundraisers for local functions or organizations to raise money for charity.
“He was always the head cook you could see. At any kind of function he’d provide clam cakes and chowder. He was always willing to help anybody if they needed some help,” Eichholz said.
Some of Sadlier’s community endeavors in the past included making meat pies for the Fireworks Committee auction and working with the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and Democratic City Committee, Moran said.
Sadlier used his skills in retirement to manage the Hospitality House soup kitchen at Central Falls’ Notre Dame Church and additionally organized the Toys for Tots drive at St. Mary’s Church in Pawtucket and also served on the board of the Pawtucket Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force.
Sadlier’s funeral will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Ave. in Lincoln with a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 103 Pine St. in Pawtucket. Calling hours will be held tonight from 4 to 7 p.m. at Keefe Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, 1 Moeller Place, Pawtucket, RI 02860. For online condolences, visit