PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Loving husband, father, Bumpa and retired Pittsfield Police Officer Frank P. Polidoro, age 91, passed away peacefully at home Friday, January 19, 2018. At the time of his passing he was surrounded with love by his wife of 66 years Shirley (St. Peter) and his children.



He was born on September 23, 1926, to Phillip and Louise (Litano) Polidoro. He was the youngest of nine children. He attended Pittsfield Public Schools, graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1944. He served in the United States Massachusetts Army National Guard 3rd Battalion 104th Infantry beginning in 1950, being honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1953. He was appointed to the Pittsfield Police Department in 1956, serving 32 years, 23 years as Sergeant. Prior to his appointment he worked at the Berkshire Woolen Mill and General Electric Company.



In 1972 he earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at Berkshire Community College. He also completed Command Training at Babson Institute, Law Enforcement Officer Training, and became an Emergency Medical Technician. He went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree through the Criminal Justice Program.



He was the first police officer assigned to initiate and head the Juvenile Division within the Pittsfield Police Department. During his service he earned the highest accolades of being "a Policeman's Policeman" due to his strong values, intense compassion, selflessness and personal example. He was the past president of the Pittsfield Police Association, having been voted Member of the Year in 1975, and the first recipient of their Brothership Award in 1986 and received the Law Award in 1989.



He served as a member of the Pittsfield Police Review Committee.



He was a former board member of the Folk Arts Council, the Camp Fire Girls, Pittsfield Affirmative Action Council, Urban Coalition, the Berkshire Mental Health Board, Salvation Army Homeless Committee, Mayor's Youth Commission on Substance and Alcohol Abuse, Police Study Committee and the Pittsfield Municipal Credit Union.



He was an active and proud member of the Father Contino Post 75 Italian American War Veterans.



Frank was a communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and later Sacred Heart Churches, always being very active in his Parish, which played such an important part in his life.



Besides his love of and devotion to his family, he loved his golf, bocce and fishing. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees.



He was predeceased by his parents, Phillip and Louise, and his eight siblings.



Besides his wife of 66 years he is survived by his children, Thomas (Connie) of Jacksonville, Florida, Gail Peterson (James) of Adams, Judy Bernardo (Michael), Michael (Donna), Sharon, Ricky, Cindy, Geoffrey (Mary) of Castle Rock, Colorado, Diane Miller (Paul) of Loudonville, New York and Sandy Graves (Kenneth) of Clifton Park, New York; 28 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and one great- great-grandchild.



Funeral notice: Services will take place Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 9 a.m. from the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 196 Elm St., Pittsfield with the Rev. A. Peter Gregory officiating. Burial will follow in the Family Plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.



Calling Hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, January 23, 2018, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pittsfield Police Association or Soldier On in care of the funeral home.