Obituary for John Phillip Cicchetti
John P. Cicchetti, a dedicated educator and tireless advocate for teachers, passed away on May 13th, 2023.
He was aged 85 years. Mr. Cicchetti is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Annmarie, and his children: John, Jr. of Orlando, FL, and his wife Loredana; Christopher J. Cicchetti of Portola Valley, CA, and his wife Marcia Cheney; Eric Cicchetti of Pittsfield MA and his wife Cynthia; and daughter Sharon Cicchetti of Falmouth, MA. He also leaves behind five grandchildren—Francesca, Claire, Emma, Sailor, and Sean—and his brother, Peter G. Cicchetti of Ashland, MA.
Born in North Adams to Joseph and Arolyn Cicchetti (nee Burnett) and raised in Adams, Massachusetts, Mr. Cicchetti graduated from Adams Memorial High School in the Class of 1955. He continued his education at the State College at North Adams, earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. After receiving his degrees, Mr. Cicchetti entered teaching, which he held in high regard, considering it the noblest of professions. In 2016, he celebrated an impressive 57-year teaching career, which began in 1959 at Mount Everett Regional High School in Sheffield. He taught English to students in grades 7 through 12.
In 1964, John Cicchetti accepted a position at Wahconah Regional High School, where he taught 12th grade English and took on the roles of English Department Chairperson and extracurricular drama director. As the department head, he restructured the English curriculum, introducing a range of electives, including Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. Mr. Cicchetti's passion for drama led him to direct two plays each year, featuring both straight dramas and musicals. Noteworthy productions included "The Diary of Anne Frank," "The Miracle Worker," "Our Town," "The Sound of Music," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Bye Bye, Birdy," and "Carousel."
Mr. Cicchetti's contributions extended beyond the classroom. In 1976, he directed an all-adult cast in the musical "1776" for the national bicentennial celebration. He reprised this role in 1984 for Dalton's bicentennial, showcasing the talent of local amateur actors and singers ranging from 18 years to 80 years old. Additionally, Mr. Cicchetti, along with co-coaches Persis Caverly and Mary Shipp, established Wahconah's quiz team, which went on to win the Berkshire County Quiz League and secure the Massachusetts championship. Their accomplishments earned public praise from Senator Edward Kennedy. Furthermore, during his tenure at Wahconah, Mr. Cicchetti initiated the school's first student newspaper, The First Edition. Finally, as a respected leader, he served many years as the President of the Central Berkshire Teachers Association.
Recognizing his expertise and dedication, Mr. Cicchetti was appointed by the Commissioner of Education as one of the two Massachusetts public school teachers to serve on the Massachusetts Certification Commission. This commission, headed by Dean Robert Dentler of Boston University, was responsible for rewriting the certification requirements for Massachusetts teachers and administrators. Mr. Cicchetti worked on the commission for five years, helping to usher in heightened requirements for educational personnel in Massachusetts.
After retiring from high-school teaching, Mr. Cicchetti served as an adjunct professor at Berkshire Community College. He began his tenure at the Old Central High School BCC campus in downtown Pittsfield and continued until 2017 at the college's current West Street campus. Additionally, he was a field representative for the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Dalton. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRSD) with the memo line - “John P. Cicchetti Scholarship Fund”. They may be mailed to Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA 01226.
"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest" Act V, Scene II, Hamlet
He was aged 85 years. Mr. Cicchetti is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Annmarie, and his children: John, Jr. of Orlando, FL, and his wife Loredana; Christopher J. Cicchetti of Portola Valley, CA, and his wife Marcia Cheney; Eric Cicchetti of Pittsfield MA and his wife Cynthia; and daughter Sharon Cicchetti of Falmouth, MA. He also leaves behind five grandchildren—Francesca, Claire, Emma, Sailor, and Sean—and his brother, Peter G. Cicchetti of Ashland, MA.
Born in North Adams to Joseph and Arolyn Cicchetti (nee Burnett) and raised in Adams, Massachusetts, Mr. Cicchetti graduated from Adams Memorial High School in the Class of 1955. He continued his education at the State College at North Adams, earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. After receiving his degrees, Mr. Cicchetti entered teaching, which he held in high regard, considering it the noblest of professions. In 2016, he celebrated an impressive 57-year teaching career, which began in 1959 at Mount Everett Regional High School in Sheffield. He taught English to students in grades 7 through 12.
In 1964, John Cicchetti accepted a position at Wahconah Regional High School, where he taught 12th grade English and took on the roles of English Department Chairperson and extracurricular drama director. As the department head, he restructured the English curriculum, introducing a range of electives, including Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. Mr. Cicchetti's passion for drama led him to direct two plays each year, featuring both straight dramas and musicals. Noteworthy productions included "The Diary of Anne Frank," "The Miracle Worker," "Our Town," "The Sound of Music," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Bye Bye, Birdy," and "Carousel."
Mr. Cicchetti's contributions extended beyond the classroom. In 1976, he directed an all-adult cast in the musical "1776" for the national bicentennial celebration. He reprised this role in 1984 for Dalton's bicentennial, showcasing the talent of local amateur actors and singers ranging from 18 years to 80 years old. Additionally, Mr. Cicchetti, along with co-coaches Persis Caverly and Mary Shipp, established Wahconah's quiz team, which went on to win the Berkshire County Quiz League and secure the Massachusetts championship. Their accomplishments earned public praise from Senator Edward Kennedy. Furthermore, during his tenure at Wahconah, Mr. Cicchetti initiated the school's first student newspaper, The First Edition. Finally, as a respected leader, he served many years as the President of the Central Berkshire Teachers Association.
Recognizing his expertise and dedication, Mr. Cicchetti was appointed by the Commissioner of Education as one of the two Massachusetts public school teachers to serve on the Massachusetts Certification Commission. This commission, headed by Dean Robert Dentler of Boston University, was responsible for rewriting the certification requirements for Massachusetts teachers and administrators. Mr. Cicchetti worked on the commission for five years, helping to usher in heightened requirements for educational personnel in Massachusetts.
After retiring from high-school teaching, Mr. Cicchetti served as an adjunct professor at Berkshire Community College. He began his tenure at the Old Central High School BCC campus in downtown Pittsfield and continued until 2017 at the college's current West Street campus. Additionally, he was a field representative for the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, celebrated by Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Pastor. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Dalton. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRSD) with the memo line - “John P. Cicchetti Scholarship Fund”. They may be mailed to Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA 01226.
"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest" Act V, Scene II, Hamlet