Ovidio D'Alessandro, 93
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ovidio V. "Ovid" D'Alessandro, 93, of North Adams died Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, at North Adams Commons from complications of a massive stroke.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 1, 1920, son of Italian immigrants Alberto and Giacinta DiFazio D'Alessandro, his parents went back to Italy and he spent five years in Sulmona before returning Brooklyn to attend school.
A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he entered the war on D-Day, June 6, 1944, on Omaha Beach in the Invasion of Normandy Invasion. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star when he volunteered to escort his sergeant, who was blinded by shrapnel, to safety. He was shot by a sniper on his return back to his unit. After the war, he re-enlisted for an extra year to guard German soldiers in Epernay, France.
Under the GI Bill, he enrolled in New York University and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education in only 3.5 years. In 1968, he began graduate studies in special education at the University of Vermont and St. Joseph College.
Mr. D'Alessandro taught special education in Bennington, Vt., and was named Vermont State Teacher of the Year in 1977. He had earlier taught art in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont. He retired in 1991 after 40 years of full time and substitute teaching. After retiring, he worked part-time at Williams College as a Stetson Hall assistant.
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also an accomplished artist and cook.
He leaves his wife, the former Juanita Beilke, whom he married on Dec. 2, 1989; a stepson, C. Jason Carlisle and his wife, Stacey, of Veazie, Maine, and two stepgrandchildren, Duncan Robert Carlisle and Patrick Michael Carlisle.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A calling hour will be held for Mr. D'Alessandro on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals,
West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Burial with full military honors will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. at Southview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northern Berkshire County Animal Rescue.