ANTHONY JOSEPH RINALDI, 86, of 3007 Main Street, Becket, died Sunday at Hillcrest Commons where he had been a patient the past four days.
Born in Pittsfield, June 7, 1921, the son of Saverio and Maria [unknown] Rinaldi,
he attended Pittsfield schools and was a [year unknown] graduate of St. Joseph Central
High School. A World War II veteran, Mr. Rinaldi first served in the National Guard. In
September 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 126th Infantry
Regiment as a rifleman. He saw battle in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines and
was a prisoner of war. He was honorably discharged on October 11, 1945, having
received the Purple Heart, as well as the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense
Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon. A master electrician by trade, Mr. Rinaldi was employed by Beloit Jones for 25
years retiring from there in 1997. From 1977 to 1980, he worked for Exxon Chemical in
Houston Texas, and then in August 1980 went to work for Vicon in Pittsfield, for six
years retiring in 1986.
Mr. Rinaldi served as the wire inspector for the towns of Washington, Becket,
and Chester, for eight years.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton. He was a former Mason, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Becket and the Veterans Red Arrow Association. He served as a Cub Master for Pack 26 in Becket for nine years. In his younger years, he was a body builder and weight lifter.Mr. Rinaldi leaves his wife, the former Dorothy T. Barsch, whom he married
February 4, 1961, in Canaan, New York.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Frank A. Rinaldi of Boca Raton,
Florida; James J. Rinaldi of Becket, and John J. Rinaldi of Becket; four daughters,
Patricia A. Fuller of Pittsfield, Joyce A. Randall of Becket, Sandra L. Sciola of Hinsdale, and Cynthia M. Richards of Becket; fourteen grandchildren, nineteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. He was pre-deceased by a son, George A.Rinaldi of 2005.


FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for ANTHONY JOSEPH RINALDI, who died
Sunday, August 5, will be Saturday, August 11, at 9:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Church,
celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Calling hours will be
Friday, August 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Rinaldi may be made to American
Heart Association in care of the Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton.
Mr. Rinaldi was also pre-deceased by a brother, Frank Rinaldi and a sister,
Lena Vincent

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