Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, 63

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gailanne M. Cariddi, 63, of North Adams, representative of the 1st Berkshire District, died Saturday, June 17, 2017, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

 

Born in North Adams on Nov. 1, 1953, daughter of James Vincent and Rhea Mary Louise Dargis Cariddi, she attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in business management from Bentley University.

 

Rep. Cariddi was serving her fourth term and had represented the 1st Berkshire District since her election 2010. At the time of her death, she was chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. 

 

Prior to that, she had served as a North Adams city councilor, including as City Council president, for more than 20 years. She was instrumental in moving forward the bike and pedestrian paths in North County as an active member for many years with the Berkshire Bike Path Council. She also served on the North Adams Public Library building committee, had been involved in numerous other local initiatives and was a frequent attendee and participant at local events and volunteer efforts. 

 

She also was a longtime member of the North Adams Democratic City Committee. Rep. Cariddi was also a board member of Northern Berkshire Community Television and featured local news of interest regularly on her shows, the latest being "Something You Should Know." 

 

Before being elected as representative, she was the financial manager of her family's business, Cariddi Sales Co., for more than 30 years and had hosted the annual Northern Berkshire Santa Fund toy pickups.

 

She leaves her sister, Antoinette M. Cariddi of North Adams; her brother, David A. Cariddi of North Adams; a niece and a nephew, Monique Cariddi and Dominick Cariddi, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

 

Her brother James Vincent Cariddi Jr. died on Dec. 8, 1992.

 

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi will be celebrated Thursday, June 22, at 11 a.m. from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 70 Marshall St., North Adams. Burial will be at a later date in Bellevue Cemetery in Adams. 

 

Calling hours will be at the church on Wednesday, June 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. Flowers may be sent or memorial donations may be made to the North Adams Public Library or the American Cancer Society in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.