GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — John R. Darada, 83, of 64 Summer St. died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000, at Fairview Hospital.

He was born March 19, 1917, in East Canaan, Conn., the son of John and Carmelia Pedrolini Darada, and had been a resident of Great Barrington since 1947.

Mr. Darada was employed by the State Highway Department in the maintenance department until his retirement in 1987.

He was a WWII Army veteran and served in the European Theater. He was a member of American Legion Post 127 and was a life member of James A. Molodo Post 8348, where he had been a member since 1948, and Disabled American Veterans.

He was a member of the bowling leagues and the Cove Lanes Bowling on Wednesday and Friday, an avid hunter and fisherman and also enjoyed his vegetable garden. He was also a sports enthusiast, especially of the Dodgers from their early days in Ebbetts Field to the present. He was a member of First Congregational Church of Great Barrington.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Wilma Broderick, whom he married June 28, 1947, in Great Barrington; his son Homer J. Darada and his wife, Joan, of Northampton; his sister, Yolanda Leoni of East Canaan; three grandchildren, John H., Zachariah and Megan, and a great-grandson, Christopher Joseph.

FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral for John R. Darada who died Thursday, Nov. 9, will be Monday, Nov. 13, 2000, at First Congregational Church of Great Barrington at 11  a.m. with the Rev. Charles VanAusdall officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetary.

Family will receive family and friends on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 7 at HICKEY-ROY FUNERAL HOME. Expressions of sympathy in his memory made be made to the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad or to the charity of one's choice C/O the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.