Thomas J. Ditello

1931 - 2021

Thomas John Ditello, 89, of Lanesboro, MA, passed away May 5, 2021 at his home.

He was born in Pittsfield, MA on October 4, 1931 to the late Alfonso and Laura Caliento Ditello.

Thomas attended Pittsfield schools and was a 1949 graduate of Pittsfield High School, where he was on the football team.

He was a member of the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and spent one year in Korea. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman First Class.

After serving with the military, he served a three year apprenticeship in Troy, NY learning the trade of Jeweler (Hand Made) and he completed a course in Diamond Grading and Evaluation from the Gemological Institute of America.

A loving couple since 1985, he married the former Phyllis L. Pemble on February 19, 2013.

Mr. Ditello worked as a jeweler alongside his brother, James, at James Jewelers in Pittsfield since 1970, until the store's closing in December of 2007.

He was a fan of Frank Sinatra and enjoyed singing Sinatra tunes at Karaoke at the Park Square Grill and at family functions. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

Thomas was one of the founders of CIAO in 1999. He received the "Thank You For Your Service" Award in 2019 from CIAO. He also served as club Chaplain, opening each meeting with a blessing.

He was a member of the Pittsfield Rotary since 1976, where he had received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He served on the board of directors for CIAO of the Berkshires, the YMCA, as well as the Pittsfield Rotary, where he also was involved in the Pancake Breakfast and the Rotary Auction. Thomas was also a member of the Sons of Italy ITAM Lodge 564, and loved to play handball at the YMCA four times a week.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis Ditello of Lanesboro. Two sisters, Phyllis Bona and husband Ed of Pittsfield, MA and Carole Gale of Merritt Island, FL. Three brothers, Louis Ditello and wife Beverly of Pittsfield, James Ditello of Pittsfield, and David Ditello and wife Bonnie of Pittsfield. Four brothers-in-law, Earl and Jody Pemble, Gary and Kathy Pemble, and David and Kim Pemble and Robert Mollison, as well as two sisters-in-law, Roseann Pharmer and Shirley Quail and husband David. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Sam, Vincent, and Joseph Ditello, sister-in-law, Nancy Ditello, brother-in-law, Ken Gale, and two sisters-in-law, Marcella Mollison and Sandy Lubold and her husband Charles Lubold, and brother-in-law, Paul Pharmer.

Thank you to his caregivers, Jermaine, Tracy, Stacy, Lindsey and the Hospice Nurses, especially Dawn for their compassionate care.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside services will be held, Friday, May 14, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Pittsfield Cemetery, with Rev. Peter A. Gregory officiating. Those attending are asked to meet inside the gate at 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to CIAO of the Berkshires or to the Pittsfield Rotary Club in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201