Mr. John "Jack" Dietrich

Mr. John “Jack” Dietrich, age 91, of Pittsfield, died peacefully Tuesday, March 3, 2015 with his family at his side at Berkshire Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born November 12, 1923 in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, the only son of the late John A. Dietrich and Viola Brown Dietrich. John attended Pittsfield schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1942. He began work at General Electric as a machine shop apprentice, and worked in that and other positions until 1958. At that time he relocated to a position in the Naval Ordinance Department as a modual area supervisor and material programmer. He continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1985. He as a long time and active member of South Congregational Church, and was a deacon. John was a dedicated Mason and was a member and Past Master of the Occidental Lodge in Stockbridge. During WWII, John was part of the Army Air Forces Ground Observer Corps, acting as a civilian airplane spotter, often from the vantage point of Benedict Hill. John was an avid outdoorsman and craftsman. He was an enthusiastic hunter and collected numerous types of rifles and bows; in addition John was a skilled gunsmith. After retirement, he could often be found in his barn or workshop crafting original furniture pieces. John made good use of the maple trees surrounding the family home, tapping trees each spring and making the best syrup in Berkshire County in his sugaring shed. In his younger years, John could be found on skis shushing down local ski trails; he was a master skier, and a member of the generation that founded the famed Thunderbolt ski race on Mount Greylock. John leaves the love of his life Eleanor Buckler Dietrich, to whom he had been married for 71 years. He is survived by his four children: Jeri Galletly (Wayne), Jon Dietrich (Deborah), Barbara Dietrich (Walter Gowey), and Todd Dietrich (Tammy). He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Family and friends meant the world to John. All are invited to join in remembrance and celebration of his life on Friday, March 6 at BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME in Dalton from 2-4. A memorial service will be held at South Congregational Church in Pittsfield on Saturday March 7 at 1:00, with the Reverend Joel Huntington presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude's Children Hospital, or Joslin Diabetes Center, in care of BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226, please visit www.wellingtonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences and remembrances for the family.

Mr. John "Jack" Dietrich

November 12, 1923 - March 3, 2015