John E "Buddy" Corbitt, 80, of Orchard St Lee, died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 25, 2013, after a long battle with COPD. He moved to his daughter's home in Lee from Sarasota FL last June to spend time with his family. Buddy was born in Bronxville NY on Feb. 13, 1933, son of Samuel and Catherine Thompson Corbitt. He married his grammar school sweetheart, the former Theresa DiGrigoli, on Nov.3, 1951 and they were happily married for 61 years. He attended St Mary's School, Lee High School, and received an Associates Degree at Berkshire Community College. Buddy worked in the Lee mills for 37 years. He was a Lab Tech at the Eagle Mill, Superintendent at the Film Plant, and a buyer for Kimberly Clark. He was the Financial Secretary of his local union as well as Treasurer for the Spinc Athletic Association for over 20 years. He was involved with the United Cerebral Palsy Association for more than 20 years and was Chairman of the Board for the Cerebral Palsy Olympics for 10 of those years. He was a member of St Mary's Church in Lee and Incarnation Church in FL. After his retirement in 1987, he and Terri moved to Sarasota FL where he enjoyed going out to dinner, playing cards, spending time with his family and friends, and of course being out in the sunshine. You could always count on having cake if you went out to dinner with him because he always told the waiter it was your birthday! He loved scuba diving, gardening, golfing, and Goose Pond. He and Terri came home every summer to be with their children and grandchildren. Buddy always made his family's life perfectly wonderful. He was well loved and is greatly missed. Buddy is survived by his one true love, his wife Terri, his three cherished daughters, Chris Walker, Cindy Corbitt-Giovine, and Kathy Corbitt and her partner, Greg, his treasured grandchildren, Jonathan Walker, Stephanie Burtt and her husband, Chauncey, Michael and Sara Giovine, his precious great grandson, Cameron Burtt and his beloved brother Sam Corbitt. He was predeceased by his dear sister Mary Kelley and his talented son-in-law Michael Giovine. A Funeral Service for John "Buddy" Corbitt will be held Friday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Lee. There are no calling hours and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Berkshires in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.

Service Details

Friday, May 10th, 2013 11:00am, St. Mary's Church