Joseph J. Cariddi, 95

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joseph John Cariddi of North Adams died Friday, December 2, 2016, at Williamstown Commons. He was 95 years old.

He was born in North Adams, the son of Frank and Antoinette (Scida) Cariddi. He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1940. He was the chairman of the 1940 school reunion committee up until his death.

He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. Joseph was an active civic leader. He was a past commander of the North Adams and Berkshire County American Legions. He was the chairman of the "Be Our Guest" Christmas Day Dinner at the North Adams American Legion for 39 years. He served on the Veteran's Committee for the city's Memorial Day and Veteran's Day parades for many years. In 1970, Joseph spearheaded efforts which resulted in the renaming of State Street extension to American Legion Drive. In 1995, he was presented with the "Making a Difference in the Community" volunteer award.  In 2001, he was honored by the North Adams Transcript as one of Northern Berkshire's 50 Most Influential People.  

Joe attended the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston but interrupted his education to enlist in the Navy during WWII. When he returned, he joined his brothers and sister at Cariddi Sales Company, where he worked as Traffic Manager for 47 years.

He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and was a member of the Sons of Italy. Joe was a coin collector and an avid letter writer. His other favorite pastimes were playing cards with his family and gardening, specializing in vegetables and sunflowers. He was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.  Joe and his wife, Rose, also spent many winters in Florida, widening their circle of friends.

Rose (Lorenzetti) Cariddi, his wife of nearly 70 years, died on June 16, 2015. They were married on November 22, 1945.

Survivors include one daughter, Terese Cariddi McDermott and her husband Colm of Stow, Mass.; and three sons, Fran Cariddi of Adams, John Cariddi and his wife Sandy of Greenfield, Mass., and Mark Cariddi and his wife Marianne of Merrimack, N.H.  "Papa Joe" also leaves six grandchildren: Pamela Patterson, Brandee Cariddi, Jared Cariddi, Holly Cariddi, Stella McDermott and Erin McDermott; and two great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Christopher Patterson. He also leaves four sisters, JoAnn Maselli of North Adams, Katherine Mogavero of Pittsfield, Jenny Tamasi of Schenectady, N.Y., and Frances Brown of Georgetown, Mass; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.  

He was predeceased by two sisters and four brothers:  Anne DeMeo, Mary Bergeron; James, Ralph, Patrick and Domenick Cariddi.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Joseph Cariddi will be celebrated Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St. North Adams. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church; the "Be Our Guest" Christmas Dinner at the North Adams American Legion; or Elder Services of Berkshire County in care of the funeral home.