Francis James "Fritz" Gigliotti

09/17/2006

Francis James "Fritz" Gigliotti, 85, of 259 Route 7 died Sunday at home. From 1953 to 1978, he and his wife, the former Marguerite "Marge" Dunn, and their children owned and operated the New Ashford Inn, formerly Twin Brooks Restaurant. Notable guests included prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, movie actors Zachary Scott and Efram Zimbalist Jr., and frequent patron Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thornton Wilder. In 1968, they opened the New Ashford Inn and Motor Inn, which is still in operation. Born in North Adams on July 10, 1921, son of Guglielmo "William" and Violetta Sculco Gigliotti, he attended the former St. Joseph's High School in North Adams. An Army veteran, he served in World War II from 1942 to 1946. He was a sergeant in the 216th General Hospital in the European theater and kept in communication with his unit through annual reunions. At an early age, Mr. Gigliotti learned to cook alongside his mother at the former Miss North Adams Diner. He was previously employed by the former Sprague Electric Co. and by Greenfield Tap and Die. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. In his youth, he participated in basketball, tennis and skiing. He was a New York Yankees fan. He and his wife celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary May 19. They were married in St. Francis' Church in North Adams. Besides his wife, he leaves four daughters, Sandra Wallach of Lunenburg, Susan Gigliotti of New Ashford, Sally Vanderzee of Clifton Park, N.Y., and Alice Gigliotti of Portsmouth, N.H.; a son, James Gigliotti of Lanesborough; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Francis James "Fritz" Gigliotti, who died Sept. 17, 2006, will be Friday at 10:15 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPEL, North Adams, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Adams. Burial with full military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Fisher House or the Hoptel In-house Hospice at Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., New Ashford Volunteer Fire Department or the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire. Please send all checks in care of the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. He leaves seven grandchildren, Natalie DeBussy Whelihan, Daniel Jennings, Jay DuBois, Michael and Richard Wallach, and David and Candice Vanderzee, and two great-grandchildren, Courtney and Jaimie DuBois. The last of 12 children, he was predeceased by Dionigi, Victtorio, Alvina, William, Rita, Peter, Thomas and Maria Elena Gigliotti, Yolanda Short, Mary Celia Cicchetti and Maria Constanza Mancini.

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