John A. Tatro, 74, of 449 Churchill St. Pittsfield, died on December 16, 2016, at Baystate Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Pittsfield, on June 28, 1942, the son of the late William and Genevieve Ballardini Tatro. John was educated in local schools and was a 1960 graduate of Pittsfield High School. John went on to obtain an Associate's Degree from Berkshire Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from Western New England College in Electrical Engineering.
He served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1965 and was honorably discharged. John was employed at General Electric as an Electrical Engineer for more than 32 years. Upon his retirement he began his second career as a professor at Berkshire Community College where he taught many engineering-related math courses.
John loved spending time with his family, especially his daughters and cherished grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, golfing and was an avid reader. He was a former member of Berkshire Hills Country Club, a self-taught musician who played the organ and the piano, and a dedicated fan of the New York Giants football team and the Boston Red Sox. He loved to travel, especially going on cruises with his wife and friends, and to take trips to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with his family. He was a jack of all trades and enjoyed many handy-man projects. John also taught after-school robotics programs in the Pittsfield Public Schools and a pre-engineering course at Taconic High School.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Kathleen M. Finnegan, whom he married on July 2, 1966, at St. Charles Church in Pittsfield; three daughters, Melissa A. Brites and her husband, David, of Pittsfield; Marcie M. Simonds and her husband, Daniel, of Pittsfield; and Mickie L. Audette and her husband, Charles, of Pittsfield; his six grandchildren, all of Pittsfield, Matthew J. Brites, Mark W. Brites, Genevieve M. Brites, Katherine E. Simonds, Nicholas D. Simonds and Lily O. Audette; his sister, Mary Jane Gumula of Pittsfield; his brother, Edward Tatro, and wife, Mary Ann, of Pittsfield; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Tatro of North Adams and Judy Tatro of Pittsfield; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.
John was predeceased by his three brothers, William Tatro, Robert "Tate" Tatro and Delphos Joseph Tatro.
The family wishes to thank Kindred Home Health Care, the Emergency Room Department at Berkshire Medical Center and the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program at Brigham & Women's Hospital for their compassionate care of John during his illness.

FUNERAL NOTICE:
Funeral Services for John A. Tatro, who died December 16, 2016, will be held Thursday, December 22, 2016, at 915a.m. from the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Church, celebrated by the Rev. David E. Aufiero, Administrator. Full Military honors will take place following the liturgy. Calling hours will be held Wednesday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to Berkshire Community College to establish an Engineering scholarship in John's memory.