OBITUARIES
TRIBUTE .... Vincent Dirago
Vincent Dirago, 91,
married for 68 years
By SHAUNA LAPREL
Staff Writer
Vincent Dirago was a man who enjoyed spending time with his
family, taking them to movies and on road trips. He died Friday
at Kenoza Manor Nursing Home at 91. His wife of 68 years, Mary
Rose (Perreault) Dirago, said her husband had a beautiful
personality. "He was good to everyone, especially our
grandchildren and great-grandchildren," she said. Mrs.
Dirago met her husband when she was 17. She was dating his friend
and he was dating hers. They were married Oct. 14, 1933 at the
former St. Joseph Church, now All Saints when she was 18 and he
was 23. The Diragos enjoyed going to the movies and traveling.
She remembers getting their first car and piling their children
in and taking trips to Niagara Falls and Canada. Mrs. Dirago said
the key to her happy and successful marriage was the great
interest they took in their children. That included becoming
involved in the PTA. He was also willing to try anything,
including roller skating, which he picked up from taking his
daughter and her friends to Skateland. He even became a member of
a roller skating club there. The Diragos, growing old together,
moved to Phoenix Row eight years ago. They enjoyed watching the
Movie Channel and football. Mrs. Dirago will miss her husband
waking her up in the morning. "He got up early. He took care
of me and I used to spoil him," she said. Born and educated
in Haverhill, Mr. Dirago worked in the local shoe industry as a
young man. He then worked at Western Electric Co. in North
Andover from 1944 until he retired from the crystal room in 1971.
He was involved in bowling leagues at St. Joseph's Bowling Lanes
and for the Western Electric League. He camped out as a member of
the Merrival Campers and build scenery for local theatre groups.
Mr. Dirago was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America,
Hale Hospital Auxiliary and All Saints Parish. Besides his wife,
he leaves son and daughter-in-law George and Cammie of Haverhill;
daughters and sons-in-law Marie and Alfred Marzioli and Theresa
and James Trick, all of Haverhill; brother Ernest of Aurora,
Colo.; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and nieces and
nephews. His funeral was Tuesday in All Saints Church. Burial was
in St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements were by Berube-Comeau
Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice,
360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence MA 01843, or Friends of
Bethany, 10-12 Phoenix Row, Haverhill MA 01832.
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