Southbridge: John B. Dirlam, 96, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, in his home after a long illness.

His wife of 60 years, Maria P. (Peters) Dirlam, passed away in 2022. He leaves his brother-in-law, John Peters and his wife Rosemary of Mahwah, NJ; and his nieces and nephews: Lise Blumenthal of Cornwall, VT; Anne Berlind of Portland, ME; John Berlind of Burlington, VT; Paul Berlind of New Durham, NH; and Sasha Frey of Stow, MA; Elliot Peters of Southbridge and Susan Peters of West Roxbury. He was predeceased by his brother, Peter Dirlam, his sister, Mary Freedman, his brother-in-law, Petro Peters and his sister-in-law Kathryn Peters. John was born in Worcester on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1930, the son of John C. and Mabel (Berry) Dirlam. John was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy in 1947. He attended Brown University where he was a part of a small group which reestablished the sport of lacrosse at the college. He was a honorary alumnus of Nichols College and received an honorary Doctor of Science in Business Administration Degree from Nichols in 2009.

He was a combat veteran of the U.S. Army in the Korean War with the 15th Field Artillery Battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division. He served in a forward observer liaison party attached to the 9th infantry regiment.

After serving his country, John joined his father and brother at the J.I. Morris Company, manufacturers of precision miniature screws, specialty parts, and industrial polishing fabrics. Peter expanded the company's offerings to include a successful line of retail eyewear comfort products. In 2008, he and his brother Peter purchased the remaining Morris family interests and continued operating the business together until 2017. John served on ASME (ANSI) committees which established the UNM miniature screw thread standards. He was also the developer and builder of the Sturbridge Crossing Condominiums, an upscale gated community of 33 units.

John had a long association with the Boy Scouts of America; he advanced to Star Scout and held many leadership positions including Scoutmaster. He was active in the Mohegan Counce of the Boy Scouts for several years, mostly in the financial area and held position of Vice President of Finance. He was named Spotlight Leader at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Boy Scouts in 2010.

He was formerly president of many organizations including, Southern Worcester County Personnel Directors Association, Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Tri-Community and Harrington Memorial Hospital. He was a former trustee and clerk of Southbridge Savings Bank (now Cornerstone); on the board of directors of Peoples National Bank; advisory board member of Guaranty Bank & Trust; trustee of Old Sturbridge Village; trustee of Nichols College; former chairman and trustee of Tri-Community YMCA’s capital facility endowment fund; trustee emeritus, corporator and member of the collections committee of the Worcester Art Museum; and member of the board of directors of the former Southbridge Roofing Co.

John was active in the town of Southbridge as a member of the finance committee and a school building needs committee. He was a member of church building committees and directed subsequent renovation projects. He was a past board member of Literacy Volunteers.

John with his wife, Maria, were donors of most of his extensive jade collection to the Worcester Art Museum. They also collected a large variety of paintings and sculptures. They took great interest in bird and animal observation and land conservation.

John and Maria were lifelong Tri-Community area residents and had homes in Falmouth, MA and Key Biscayne, FL. He was an avid tennis player both here and in Florida. He was an ardent reader of mostly history, especially the Civil War, WWI, WWII and Korean Wars. John and Maria traveled extensively in the United States and throughout the world.

John's funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 30th, at 11:00am in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 446 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge. Calling hours in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29th, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.