John Enright

DALTON John Lawrence Enright, 79, co-founder of Perferx Optical Co. Inc. in Pittsfield, died Sunday, March 22, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston surrounded by his beloved family and loving companion, Denise Grady. John and his late wife, Beverly Wasuk Enright, founded Perferx in 1974. At the time of his death, he was serving as executive adviser. He was inducted into the Optical Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a member and former two-term president of Wahconah Country Club, where he played in a league and ran the annual Little Brown Jug Golf Tournament. Born in Pittsfield, son of Harold J. and Grace Decker Enright, he was a 1953 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1957, achieving the rank of airman first class. He and Beverly were married Jan. 22, 1955, at St. Mary's Church in Pittsfield. She died Feb. 24, 2005. After the service, John began working at American Optical Co. on North Street in Pittsfield. He was named branch manager in 1966, and when the company closed its local branch in 1974, he and Beverly established Perferx. John played slow-pitch softball until the age of 45. He was mentioned in Kevin O' Hara's book, "A Lucky Irish Lad," which included a segment on John's team playing the King and His Court, a four-man fast-pitch softball team that toured the country, taking on top competitors. He was a member of St. Agnes' Church, and a former member of Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield, where he served as president of the Parish Council and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes. He also volunteered with Elder Services in Pittsfield. John was a true humanitarian, establishing a foundation to help those in need in the community. He was a charismatic, very loving, kind, compassionate, generous and selfless man. He was also a devoted father, grandfather and friend. He touched the hearts of many. He leaves four daughters, Coleen Allessio and her husband, Robert, of Dalton, Rebecca Yannone and her husband, Joseph, of Pittsfield, Melanie Gillmeister and her husband, Gerard, of Berlin, Mass., and Tracie Folan Bennett of Pittsfield; a son, John Lawrence Enright Jr. and his wife, Tricia, of Southampton; his longtime companion, Denise Grady of Pittsfield; his brother, Harold Enright of Jacksonville, N.C., his sister, Mary Theresa Enright of Omaha, Neb.; 16 grandchildren, Megan (Brian) Duquette, Timothy (Crystal) Allessio, and Ryan, Kate and Courtney Allessio, Joseph (Laurie) Yannone, and Mark and Emily Yannone, Matthew (Katie) Gillmeister, Jillian (Kristopher) Young and Michael Gillmeister, Samantha, Shawn and Erin Folan, and Jack and Luke Enright; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Orville Enright, Shirley Petell, Myrtle Blouin, Robert Enright, Elizabeth Witanek, Dawn Delmolino and Jean Yon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John Enright Memorial Fund in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 to continue the efforts to assist local people in need, including those who cannot afford transportation or medicines for their cancer treatments. FUNERAL NOTICE: The wake will be Thursday, March 26, from 4 to 8 at St. Agnes' Church in Dalton. The funeral will be Friday at 10 at St. Agnes'. DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield is handling arrangements.