Eugene A. DiNicola Sr.

06/25/2006

Eugene A. DiNicola Sr., 78, of 1106 South St. died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield on Sept. 17, 1927, son of Nicola and Alberina D'Orazio DiNicola, he was a 1945 graduate of Pittsfield High School. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served as an electrical engineer and ship electrician on several ships, including the destroyer USS Edison, and was awarded several campaign medals. He was honorably discharged Oct. 1, 1947. Mr. DiNicola was employed by General Electric Co. in the power transformer department for 39 years, retiring in 1986. He was a communicant of St. Agnes' Church and a member of the GE Quarter Century and Pensioners' clubs, the Foremen's Club and the General Electric Athletic Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing golf. He and his wife, the former Arlene L. Arpante, were married Sept. 3, 1949, at Mount Carmel Church. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Susan L. Allegrone of Hinsdale and Dawne L. DiNicola of Dalton; two sons, Eugene A. DiNicola Jr. of Dalton and David A. DiNicola of Middlefield; a sister, Mary Ann Stockley of Pittsfield; two brothers, Nicholas DiNicola of South Glens Falls, N.Y., and Paul D. DiNicola of Hurley, N.Y., and 10 grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Dalton resident Eugene A. DiNicola Sr. died Sunday, June 25, at Berkshire Medical Center after a long illness due to a series of strokes. Burial will take place across from the sanctuary at the lower level of St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield. A celebratory gathering will immediately follow in the Parish Hall at the home of his baptism and marriage, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on Sept. 17, 1927, he was the eldest son of Nicola "Nick" DiNicola and Alberina "Durazio" DiNicola, both of whom emigrated from Pescara, Abruzzi, Italy. He grew up on Dickenson Avenue, was educated in Pittsfield Public Schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1945. He married his beloved and dear wife, Arlene Louise Arpante, on Sept. 13, 1949, at Mount Carmel Church in Pittsfield and moved to Dalton in 1951. Mr. DiNicola was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and served as an electrical engineer and ship electrician on the destroyer USS Edison from Jan. 12, 1945, until his honorable discharge on Oct. 1, 1947. Following WWII, Mr. DiNicola returned to Pittsfield and began his career as a wireman for General Electric Co. He further served the company as an electrician, test man, test specialist, group leader, foreman and test coordinator. He performed electrical and infrared diagnostic work on some of the largest transformers manufactured in the world. In 1986, he retired from GE with 39 years of service. Mr. DiNicola was a communicant of St. Agnes' Church. He was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons, GE Quarter Century Club, Pensioners' Club, Foremen's Club and General Electric Athletic Association. In his youth, Mr. DiNicola was an avid hunter and fisherman, and in retirement, he enjoyed golf, gardening and, in particular, spending time with his 10 grandchildren. His family stated: "Dad's generosity and kind heart are an inspiration to all. He lived his life with integrity, honor, compassion, and in the end ... remarkable bravery." Survivors include his devoted and loving wife, Arlene, of 57 years; daughters, Susan Allegrone of Hinsdale and Dawne DiNicola of Dalton; sons, Eugene "Geno" DiNicola Jr. of Dalton and David A. DiNicola of Middlefield; son-in-law, Louis J. Allegrone; son-in-law-to-be, Robert Wheeler; daughters-in-law, Kathleen and Karen DiNicola; 10 grandchildren, Stacy Allegrone-Lewis, Wendy, Louis, Susan and Anthony Allegrone, Amanda and David DiNicola, Gary, Brian and Quinten DiNicola; two brothers, Nicholas DiNicola of South Glens Falls, N.Y., and Paul DiNicola of Hurley, N.Y.; and a sister, Mary Ann Stockley of Pittsfield. Mr. DiNicola was preceded in death by a sister, Eileen Adams of Hinsdale. Funeral services for Eugene A. DiNicola Sr. will take place Wednesday at 9 a.m. from FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes' Church in Dalton by the Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, pastor. Burial will take place in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 4 to 7. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Agnes' Schoolchildren Fund, in care of the funeral home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and most enjoyed spending time with his family.

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