Arthur John Dittmeier

Arthur Art John Dittmeier, 88, of Farm Hill Road, North Attleboro, died on Friday, May 27, 2011 at his residence surrounded by the love of his family. He was the husband of Mona (Hunt) Dittmeier to whom he was married on September 2, 1946. Born in Brooklyn, New York on March 8, 1923 he was a son of the late George P. and Frances (Roesch) Dittmeier. Mr. Dittmeier proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps from his enlistment on November 2, 1942 until his honorable discharge with the rank of First Lieutenant on September 9, 1946. He served with the 15th Air Force/Wing 304, 406 Bomb Group (H), 746 Bomber Squadron Pilot. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He personally saved ten men after their plane crashed into the Adriatic Sea and together the eleven soldiers were in lifeboats for five days before being rescued by an allied ship. Prior to enlisting in the military, Mr. Dittmeier was employed as the head bookkeeper for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. Following his discharge, Mr. Dittmeier was employed by AT & T as a district manager for more than 33 years prior to his retirement on August 15, 1980. He attended St. Johns University, Rutgers University and Syracuse University. Mr. Dittmeier resided in North Attleboro for the past 14 years having previously lived in Bedford, New Hampshire for 16 years and Needham for 16 years. He was a communicant of St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church in Cumberland, Rhode Island. His favorite pastimes included tinkering with projects around his home as he was quite mechanically inclined and gardening and landscaping around his property. In addition to his wife of 64 years, he leaves six children: Thomas A. Dittmeier of Plainville; Dianne M. Brown of Casco, Maine; Veronica T. Dittmeier of Waltham; Terence D. Dittmeier of Norwood; M. Victoria Dittmeier of Townsend and Daniel T. Dittmeier of Tokyo, Japan; ten beautiful grandchildren and three cherished great grandchildren. Visitation with Veterans Honors will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 5:00 8:00 PM in the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. The funeral with Veterans Honors will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 8:30 AM from the Memorial Chapel of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island with the Rev. Raymond C. Theroux, Pastor and Rev. Mr. Paul Lambert, officiating. Committal prayers with Military Honors will be offered on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 12:30 PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne with the Rev. Francis OHara, officiating. Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Dittmeiers name may be made to either St. John Vianney Church, 3587 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864 (401) 333-6060 or to the Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.