ADAMS, Mass. — Donato Francesco Dagnoli, 87, of Adams, Mass., died peacefully Thursday, November 1, 2018, at his home.

He was born in North Adams, Mass., on January 25, 1931, son of Battista and Giacomina (Segala) Dagnoli. He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1948.  He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1952 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through its Air Force ROTC Program. Donato later received his mortuary science degree from Hudson Valley Community College.

Donato was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in South Korea as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Following the war, he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve as the Berkshire County liaison officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy for many years until his retirement as a Lt. Colonel with 26 years of service.

After working as a chemist with Sprague Electric Co. for several years, Donato dedicated his life to funeral service in partnership with his brother Rinaldo and the late Edward T. Flynn and his son Nicholas Flynn, in the operation of Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Homes, where he worked until his death.  

Donato was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II and the former St. Anthony of Padua Church, where he was a lector and sang in the choirs. He was a former North Adams City Councilor and volunteer with the American Cancer Society.

He was preceeded in death by his wife of 53 years, Marcia Ann (Parisien) Dagnoli, who died on October 17, 2017. They were married on August 15, 1964, in St. Anthony of Padua Church.

Survivors include three sons, Donato Battista Dagnoli of North Adams, Mass., Doric Adam Dagnoli and his wife, Tischel, of Columbia Falls, Mont., and Dean Christopher Dagnoli and his wife, Lisa, of East Longmeadow, Mass.; five grandchildren, including Alexandra Noel Dagnoli and her fiancé, Monte Steven White, Siena Rose Dagnoli, Ava Marie Dagnoli, Bianca Kathleen Dagnoli and Dean Donato Dagnoli; his brother, Rinaldo Peter Dagnoli and his wife, Barbara of Pittsfield; a sister in law, Ann (Canedy) Parisien of Hadley, Mass.; a brother in law, Juris Zauls of Brewster, Mass.; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.  

Donato's family would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all the caregivers and health care professionals for their care and compassion over the past few years.
    
Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Donato Francesco Dagnoli will be celebrated Monday, November 5, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.  

Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main St. North Adams, Mass., are Sunday, November 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.