John Albert Dillingham, 92, passed away peacefully at the Holyoke Soldiers Home on May 12, 2019 after battling Parkinson’s Disease. John was born in Cleveland, OH to the late Albert and Gertrude (Silvernail) Dillingham. John served his country in the United States Navy from 1944-1946 and in the Navy and Coast Guard Reserve from 1946-1987, retiring with the rank of Commander.
He graduated from Brown University in 1950 with a BA in Economics, and took graduate courses at Western New England from 1954-1958 in accounting, auditing and finance. John was employed by Old Colony Envelope Co. from 1950-1987 as auditor, asst. treasurer, and treasurer while it was an independent company.
He was vice president and controller in the division of Hammermill Paper Co., now International Paper. John also worked for Healy Pease Funeral Service as business manager in the Westfield and Northampton locations. John served on many committees, he was a former treasurer for YMCA of Greater Westfield, former treasurer and present trustee for Westhills Home Health Care unit of Noble Health Systems, former chairman of Westfield Board of Assessors, treasurer of Pine Hill Cemetery, trustee, with Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield Academy and the Dewey House and director of Noble Medical Practice group.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Sara Gilett Foundation for the elderly and Shortliff Foundation for children, Woronoco Bank. Additionally he was a member of the American Legion Post 124, Rotary Club of Westfield, Westfield Historical Society, and longtime member and former treasurer of the Get Together Club. John was an active member of First Congregational Church of Westfield, former deacon, served on most committees and was a past chairman of invested funds.
John is survived by his wife Elizabeth Rolfe Dillingham and preceded in death by his former wife Marcia Nelson Dillingham. John leaves his four children; Laura Dillingham Mailman and husband George, Victoria Fresquez, Judith Dillingham Carter and husband Greg and Stephen John Dillingham and his fiancé Lynn and a step son David Hooper. John also leaves two very special friends, David Dauphin and Bruce Murphy, and eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
John was a gentle quiet man who loved his true and faithful dogs and cats. He loved his almost 92 years at his beloved cottage on Lake Warren in Alstead N.H., his many walks through Stanley Park, canoe trips in Maine and travel throughout Europe and the Caribbean. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Broad St. Westfield on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11AM, burial with Military Honors will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Western Ave.
Westfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the First Congregational Church, 18 Broad St. Westfield, MA 01085 or to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St. Holyoke, MA 01040. www.
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