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 Chief Joseph. J. Zoito Jr., 88
 September 02, 2012
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Retired Williamstown Police Chief Joseph. J. Zoito Jr., 88, of 5 Glenns Road, died peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield with his loving family by his side.
Born in North Adams on May 1, 1924, son of Joseph J. Zoito Sr. and Anna Lampiasi Zoito, he graduated from Drury High School and later received his degree, with high honors, in criminal justice from Berkshire Community College.
He also attended the State Police Academy in 1957 and graduated from Northeastern University in 1962. He attended the Boston University Forensic Medicine program until 1964 and Babson University for command training.
A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he joined the military in 1943 and served with Company B, 204th Army Engineer Combat Battalion, in Normandy, northern France, Central Europe and the Rhineland, including during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 1, 1945. He received many decorations and citations for service including the European-African Mid-East Ribbon with five stars, the American Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Chief Zoito joined the Williamstown Police Department in 1954 as a special officer for two years and was appointed a full-time patrolman two years later. He was promoted to the position of police chief on Jan. 1, 1963. Chief Zoito served and protected the community for 35 more years until he retired on May 31, 1989.
Earlier, he had owned and operated The Ice House business for a number of years beginning in 1948 and was employed by the former Seasons Television & Repair Co. in North Adams as a repair technician and later worked for the former General Electric Co. in Pittsfield.
Chief Zoito was a life member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, for which he served as president for 1971-1972. He was passionately involved, committed and dedicated to all aspects of the association. After his term as president, he continued to serve on various committees and was elected chairman of the Nominating Committee. He also served on the board of directors of Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and was a life member of the New England and the International police chiefs associations.
For 19 years, he actively participated in the Jimmy Fund Run. He was passed the baton at the Massachusetts/New York line and ran the first mile, which he did with unlimited loyalty and support for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. He was a loving "Papa Joe" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His wife, the former Elizabeth McHaffie, whom he married on Feb. 22, 1947, died Sept. 27, 2010.
He leaves his son, William Zoito and his wife, Kathryn, of Pittsfield; his two daughters, Lorel Maynard and her husband, Lester, of New York and Karen Bentz and her husband, Mark, of Lanesborough; six grandchildren, Mary Schimek and her husband, George, Carolyn Sheldon and her husband, Paul, Susan Barbarotta and her husband, Chris, Michelle Sherman-Haskins, Vicki Maxfield and her husband, Tim, and Becki Zaleski and her husband, Jim; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Catherine Courtmanche and Angie Goodreau, and three brothers, Vincent, Andrew and Anthony Zoito.
 FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Chief Zoito will be Friday, Sept. 7, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Patrick's Church. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Sept. 6, from 3 to 7 at the funeral home. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Jimmy Fund c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
One of the most honored moments of knowing the Chief was his appearance at my fathers funeral. I was honored beyond words.
My sincerest condolences to his family.
| | from: Cheryl Taft Phiffer | on: 10-27-2012 |
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