Archie J. DeAngelus

08/04/2001

Archie J. DeAngelus, 77, of 65B High St. died Friday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He was director of the Dalton Community House for 38 years, retiring in 1989. Mr. DeAngelus was a recipient of the distinguished service award of the Massachusetts Athletic Directors Association. He was a former president of the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association and served on its New England District Council conference and planning unit. Born in Dalton on Jan. 20, 1924, son of Joseph and Virginia Casella DeAngelus, he was a 1942 graduate of the former Dalton High School and a 1963 graduate of the Occupational Teachers Training School in Westfield. He also graduated from the Holyoke Vocational Trade Center A Navy veteran of World War II, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill in the Pacific theater. From 1957 to 1962, Mr. DeAngelus worked at the Dalton Youth Center. He also worked for a time at C.M. Goodrich cabinetmakers. He was a member of the New England Park Association, a former member of the American Recreation and Park Association and director of the Neighborhood Youth Corps. He was an assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 12, Boy Scouts of America, and past president of the Dalton Camp Fire. He was also past president of the Dalton Rotary Club and chairman of the CRA Rotary Follies. He was past president of the Dalton-Windsor-Hinsdale Little League and the Dalton Babe Ruth League, and a member of the board of directors of the Berkshire County Red Cross. He was quartermaster and commander of the Dalton Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was cited for work in the community over the years and held many plaques, certificates and awards for special services. He was a communicant of St. Agnes' Church, a past president of Wahconah Country Club, and a member of the Dalton American Legion and the Saturday Evening Club. He and his brother, Charles J. DeAngelus, won the Robert K. Agar Jr. Award for volunteerism from Berkshire United Way in 1989. Mr. DeAngelus enjoyed playing golf. His first wife, the former Emma Walden, died Dec. 9, 1984. He and his wife, the former Vivian Lanphear Elser, would have celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary Oct. 18. Besides his wife and brother, of Dalton, he leaves a son, Donald DeAngelus of Dalton; two daughters, Linda DeAngelus of Dalton and Diane DeAngelus of New York City; a stepson, Donn Elser of Dalton; two stepdaughters, Joanne Magri of Becket and Sandra Maloney of Dalton; another brother, Louis DeAngelus of Rome, Ga.; two sisters, Dolly Dixon of Dalton and Jenny Baumann of Hinsdale; two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Services for will be Wednesday, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 at St. Agnes' Church celebrated by the Rev. John A. Koonz, pastor. Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery. Calling hours will be tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 at DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dalton Community House in care of the funeral home, 890 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226.

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