PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Anthony G. Cancilla Jr. of Pittsfield passed away on February 18, 2018, at the age of 82. A gentle soul, he will be missed by the friends he made during his final stay at Kimball Farms Nursing Facility in Lenox.

Anthony, better known as Tony by friends and family, was born in Pittsfield on June 28, 1935, to the late Anthony G. Cancilla Sr. and Angela Froio Cancilla. He graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1953, and graduated from Syracuse University in 1957. He married Claudette L. Molleur on August 9, 1958, and moved to San Antonio, Texas that same day. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this August.

He had a full and colorful career that took him across the country: He was a proud Retired Colonel who served 33 years in the Army Reserves; he was a recruiting officer for the United States Military Academy. He worked at Jones and Lauplin Steel Mill in Pennsylvania, General Electric in Pittsfield, and then for many years as a Quality Control Manager for Digital Equipment Corporation.

While living in Pittsburgh in the 1960s, he became a Steelers fan; moving back to Massachusetts did not dissuade him from his team, and he immensely enjoyed football and his fantasy league. His other hobbies included golfing, reading, yard work, being a Eucharistic Minister at the former Mt. Carmel Church, playing cards with his poker group, and spending time with his family.

He will be missed dearly by his wife, Claudette; younger brother William Cancilla and wife Betty; his son, Michael Cancilla and wife Barbara of Springville, Ala.; his daughters, Toni Massery and husband John and Ann Cancilla-Cole; his grandchildren Sara Massery, Perry Cancilla and Eva Cole; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. 

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Mr. Anthony G. Cancilla, Jr. will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018, at noon at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 11 a.m. to noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home.