James V. Cariddi Sr., 96
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - James Vincent Cariddi Sr., 96, of 1125 State Road died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at North Adams Regional Hospital. He was a longtime local businessman and entrepreneur.
Born in North Adams on July 7, 1915, son of Frank and Antoinette Scida Cariddi, he attended local schools and later received a certificate from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served as a private, first class, with the 612th Ordnance Base Armored Maintenance Battalion from Feb. 15, 1943, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 15, 1946. He fought as a marksman in the European theater in the battles of the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.
Mr. Cariddi was the owner and founder of Cariddi Sales Co., a wholesale distribution company. He also was a founding partner of Valley Park Lanes bowling alley.
A true entrepreneur and salesman, he began his career by selling newspapers and renting bicycles on Main Street. His first business venture began in the early 1930s, when he owned and operated more than 50 jukeboxes throughout the city, recruiting his brothers and sisters to assist him. He then started Mohawk Tasty Bits Co.; with the help of his family, he packaged roasted peanuts and garlic and other items for sale in local variety stores.
In 1936, he established Cariddi Sales in the basement of his parents' home. As business expanded, the company moved its wholesale distribution offices to the former Bank Street in the downtown. Product lines were added and more employees and salespeople joined the company. The business grew to serve every New England state, New York State to the Canadian border and as far south as Pennsylvania. The company eventually moved to State Street and then to its present location on State Road, with 76 years of operation.
Mr. Cariddi was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and a member of the National Association of Wholesalers. He was a member of the Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion; Dr. George L. Curran Post 996 VFW, Sons of Italy Lodge 704 and the North Adams Elks. He was a member of the Berkshire County Deputy Sheriffs Association, holding Badge 119. He was active in the community as a member of the Drury High School Building Committee, of the board of directors of the former First Agricultural Bank and of the Democratic City Committee.
He enjoyed playing golf and was a longtime member of the North Adams Country Club in Clarksburg and the Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown. He also enjoyed reading. He was devoted to his family and was a mentor to many of his nieces and nephews.
His wife, the former Rhea L. Dargis, whom he married Feb. 3, 1953, died on Sept. 3, 1995.
He leaves two daughters, state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and Antoinette Cariddi, both of North Adams; a son, David Cariddi of North Adams; five sisters, Mary Bergeron of Greenfield, JoAnn Maselli of Clarksburg, Jennie Tamasi of Schenectady, N.Y., Katherine Mogavero of Pittsfield and Frances Brown of Georgetown; a brother, Joseph Cariddi of North Adams; two grandchildren, Monique Cariddi and Dominick Cariddi, and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
His son James V. Cariddi Jr. died on Dec. 8, 1992. Three brothers and a sister also predeceased him: Ann DeMeo, Ralph Cariddi, Dominic Cariddi, Francis P. "Pat" Cariddi and Patrick Cariddi.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mr. Cariddi will be celebrated Saturday, April 14, at noon at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery in Adams.
Calling hours will be private and flowers may be sent. Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams is in charge of arrangements.