PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In remembrance of Daniel Dillon, Berkshire Community College (BCC) and the BCC Alumni Association Board, together with Dillon's family, have created the annual Daniel Dillon '62 Heart of Service Alumni Award.

 

"Dan was an incredible individual who left a legacy of love, compassion and service to others. We at BCC are fortunate to have been a part of that legacy," said Toni Buckley, Director of Alumni Relations. "He was a fierce advocate for those who needed opportunity, and he strongly believed that education was one way for individuals to enjoy a better quality of life."

 

The award is designed to honor a BCC alumnus, former student or current student who has shown dedication to and made an impact on the community through service to others. The recipient will have demonstrated volunteer and professional engagement as a means of making Berkshire County a more equitable and inclusive place for all.

 

"Dan will live on in the memories we have of him, the stories we continue to share and the lasting good he did to make our community better," Buckley said.

 

According to a press release, Daniel Dillon, a 1962 Berkshire Community College (BCC) graduate, was affectionately known as a gentle giant — and a man who cared deeply for his community. His death in January 2021 was a devastating loss not only to his family and friends, but also to the BCC faculty, staff and students he impacted in so many ways.

 

After graduating St. Joseph Central High School and BCC, Dillon served two years in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he became a draftsman at General Electric, where he also served as a union official. In 1977, Dillon was elected to the Pittsfield City Council and served three terms. He went on to serve as president of Berkshire United Way for 12 years and received the Francis X Doyle Award in 2005 for community service. For thirteen years, he coproduced and was master of ceremonies for the local United Cerebral Palsy telethon, and for many years he was vice president of both the Irish American Committee and the Irish Sister City Committee. Dillon also served on the Pittsfield Human Services Commission and the Success By 6 steering committee.

 

Following his retirement from Berkshire United Way, Dillon joined Greylock Federal Credit Union as relationship director and became instrumental in reviving the BCC Alumni Association. At the time of his death, Dillon served on the board of the BCC Foundation and on the development committee.

 

Nominations for the award are open December 20 through Feb. 1. To submit a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/dan-dillon.