John P. '"Jack"' Diamond

Mr. John "Jack" P. Diamond, 82, of Cheshire, CT, husband of the late Ann Marie Diamond, lost his courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Mr. Diamond was born in Mt. Kisco, NY, on March 27, 1933. The son of the late Bridget and John Diamond had been a Cheshire resident for nearly 50 years. Growing up in Chappaqua, NY, he attended Horace Greeley High School and graduated from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont in 1954. He was proud to have been a member of the St. Mike’s undefeated football team of 1951, which was later inducted into the St. Mike’s Hall of Fame. After graduation, he remained actively involved with the college, recruiting top players to its varsity basketball program, and directing countless graduating high school students to the college that he loved. He received the 1979 Alumnus of the Year Award for his service and dedication to the school.

In Cheshire, Mr. Diamond was an active parishioner of St. Bridget’s Church, devoting countless hours to serving his parish. He was a man of great faith in God and believed in giving back to his community, which he did with great abundance and love throughout his entire life. He volunteered with various organizations, including the Abbey of Regina Laudis and the Franciscan Life Center.

Jack was passionate about sports in just about any form. He was a founding member of Cheshire Junior Football League and coached in the league for over twenty years. His knowledge of the game and enthusiasm for teaching the sport touched and inspired hundreds of local athletes and their families. His teams had numerous undefeated seasons, and to this day people remember the lessons that they learned from him on the field. He also coached Little League baseball for many years, as well as the St. Bridget Baseball Team, which every year presents the Jack Diamond Sportsmanship award to one of its players. He was a lifelong Yankees and NY Giants fan, and had season tickets to both teams for many years. In later life he took up and developed a love for skiing, and he took his family to Okemo Vermont every weekend, where the family developed a lifelong commitment to the sport that continues to connect his family to each other and friends. Jack loved going to the gym, to stay in shape, but probably even more so, to chat with the many friends that he made wherever he went.

He was a loving and supportive father, and a doting and devoted grandfather who just couldn’t get enough of his family and could never do enough to lend a helping anyone. He loved life and inspired everyone with the dignity with which he faced his battle with Parkinson’s and he never allowed it to diminish his beautiful spirit.

After graduating from college Jack served as a captain and pilot in the US Air Force. He worked for International Silver Co. for many years before founding his company JP Diamond & Associates. He leaves four children, Kelly P. Diamond of Boston, Kerrin Diamond Cole (husband Bob Cole) of Norwalk, Bruce W. Diamond of Waterbury, and John P. Diamond (wife Margot Diamond) of Hamden, as well as sister, Gerry Crowley of San Francisco, and brother, Bob Diamond of Eugene, Oregon. He also leaves six grandchildren, Matt, Evan, and Meghan Diamond, Juliana Cole, John Diamond, and Mariah Massari, and nieces Anne Marie Fresenius, Joanna Martel Marvin, and Marie Martel.

Arrangements – Funeral services will be held on Friday July 24, 2015, 9:15 a.m. from the Alderson-Ford Funeral home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. to St. Bridget Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc. CT chapter, P.O. Box 718, Old Mystic, CT. 06372. For online condolences, to share a story or a photo, please visit www.fordfh.com.