Obituary of John Eddie Dalmata

Mr. John "Eddie" Dalmata, age 91, of Gloversville, peacefully went to Heaven at his home surrounded by his family and friends on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. He was born on December 26, 1917 in Toledo, OH, the son of the late Karol and Valerya Maczewski Dalmata. He graduated from Gloversville High School in 1939 and served his country in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. Eddie was the proud founder and owner of Dal´s Hollow Body Works for many years which is presently owned and managed by his beloved son Raymond. Eddie happily remained employed at the shop until November of 2008 when he was over 90 years of age. Mr. Dalmata was a member of Sacred Heart Church and a charter member of the Berkshire Fire Department. He served the fire department faithfully as a firefighter for over 60 years and retired as Commissioner in 2007. Eddie was recognized on two separate occasions as Fulton County Firefighter of The Year. He also received the "Home Town Hero Award" in 2007 being recognized for his many years of dedication to his entire community. Eddie was a devoted and loving husband to his surviving wife Helen Selufsky Dalmata for 67 years. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. He is also survived by his four children, Edalenia Boynton of Venice, FL, Lawrence Dalmata of Greensborough, NC, Claudia Watson of Dayville, CT and Raymond Dalmata Barbara of Gloversville; a sister, Virginia Johnsen of Gloversville; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. His special friends Brian and Mariana Morley and Butch and Ziggy Werner also survive. Eddie's brothers Stanley Dalmata and Philip Dalmata predeceased him. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21st at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, where a prayer service will be conducted 9:15 a.m. Friday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Gloversville. The Very Rev. Donald Czelusniak will be the celebrant. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078 or to the Berkshire Fire Department.