Obituary for Robert Bernard "Bob" Dillon Jr.
Robert Bernard Dillon, Jr., 93, (known as Bob) of Lenox, MA died peacefully on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Berkshire Medical Center.
He was born in Pittsfield, MA on August 4, 1929, the eldest son of Robert Bernard Dillon, Sr., and Madeline Mildred (Discoe) Dillon. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School, Class of 1947.
Robert was employed at General Electric from1948 until 1973. From 1973 to1976 he worked in real estate before returning to GE Ordnance as a subcontract administrator, retiring in 1990.
Robert enjoyed gardening, especially flowers. He was an avid home handyman, remodeling and occasionally building furniture, bird feeders and functional items for his grandsons, whom he loved spending time with. He enjoyed travel, making trips with his wife Ginny to California to visit his daughter Marsha. He traveled to Ireland with his siblings and again with daughters Marsha and Kellie, and he traveled to England and France with wife Ginny and daughter Marsha. He loved music, was an ardent reader of history, and chronicled the genealogy of the Dillon family from the time of their emigration from Ireland during the potato famine.
Robert was civic and community minded. From 1956 until 1965 he was a member of the Massachusetts Jaycees, eventually reaching National VP. For many years he taught CCD and was a eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Church. He led a water exercise program at the Pittsfield YMCA for 10 years.
His wife was Virginia Marie (Benz) Dillon (Ginny) who died on October 11, 2019. They were married on September 9, 1950. Survivors include daughters Marsha Dillon and her partner Tom Smith of Palo Alto, CA and Kellie J. Dillon of Pittsfield, and one son, Patrick Anthony Dillon of Pittsfield. He also leaves his grandson Kegan N. Dillon of Parker, CO; his sister Connie Dillon Yannone of Lenox, MA; his brother Tom Dillon of Pittsfield. He was predeceased by his grandson Conor Dillon, his daughter-in-law Paula (Furci) Dillon, and his brother and sister, Daniel C. Dillon and Betty Ann Dillon Powell.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Robert B. Dillon, Jr. will be celebrated Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. Steven Montesanti. Entombment will follow in St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum. Calling hours at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA are Monday, May 22, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Jimmy Fund in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
He was born in Pittsfield, MA on August 4, 1929, the eldest son of Robert Bernard Dillon, Sr., and Madeline Mildred (Discoe) Dillon. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School, Class of 1947.
Robert was employed at General Electric from1948 until 1973. From 1973 to1976 he worked in real estate before returning to GE Ordnance as a subcontract administrator, retiring in 1990.
Robert enjoyed gardening, especially flowers. He was an avid home handyman, remodeling and occasionally building furniture, bird feeders and functional items for his grandsons, whom he loved spending time with. He enjoyed travel, making trips with his wife Ginny to California to visit his daughter Marsha. He traveled to Ireland with his siblings and again with daughters Marsha and Kellie, and he traveled to England and France with wife Ginny and daughter Marsha. He loved music, was an ardent reader of history, and chronicled the genealogy of the Dillon family from the time of their emigration from Ireland during the potato famine.
Robert was civic and community minded. From 1956 until 1965 he was a member of the Massachusetts Jaycees, eventually reaching National VP. For many years he taught CCD and was a eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Church. He led a water exercise program at the Pittsfield YMCA for 10 years.
His wife was Virginia Marie (Benz) Dillon (Ginny) who died on October 11, 2019. They were married on September 9, 1950. Survivors include daughters Marsha Dillon and her partner Tom Smith of Palo Alto, CA and Kellie J. Dillon of Pittsfield, and one son, Patrick Anthony Dillon of Pittsfield. He also leaves his grandson Kegan N. Dillon of Parker, CO; his sister Connie Dillon Yannone of Lenox, MA; his brother Tom Dillon of Pittsfield. He was predeceased by his grandson Conor Dillon, his daughter-in-law Paula (Furci) Dillon, and his brother and sister, Daniel C. Dillon and Betty Ann Dillon Powell.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Robert B. Dillon, Jr. will be celebrated Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church by the Rev. Steven Montesanti. Entombment will follow in St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum. Calling hours at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA are Monday, May 22, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Jimmy Fund in care of the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.