Michael A. Polidoro

Michael A. Polidoro died on March 30, 2021 at home surrounded by family after a long battle with ALS. Born in Pittsfield on October 13, 1957, he was the son of the late Pittsfield Police Sgt. Frank P. Polidoro and Shirley T. St. Peter Polidoro. Mike attended the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and was a 1975 graduate of the former St. Joseph's Central High School. Continuing his education, he graduated from Fisher College in Boston as well as the Fire Science Program at Berkshire Community College. Continuing his professional education, Mike was awarded certifications from several federal public safety and fire service programs along with graduating from the National Fire Academy and Federal Urban Search and Rescue programs.
He worked as a teenager and into his twenties as a watch and jewelry repair technician for the former James Jewelers. Appointed as a firefighter with the city of Pittsfield in 1988, Mike served as a Deputy Chief for the last five years of his 28 years of service to our community. Stationed at Fire Dept. Headquarters, he led the "A" shift and retired in 2016 due to failing health. During his career, Mike was also an Emergency Medical Technician, Rescue Diver, and a Technical Rescue Team member for Pittsfield Fire Dept., on the first state Hazardous Material District Team based in Pittsfield, and a member of the MA Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team. During this time, he responded to several national disasters, including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Mike also spent a lot of his time teaching at the Fire Academy in Beverly, MA. Mike had a true passion for his profession and never considered it work.
A communicant of St. Charles Church, Mike loved spending time with his family, most especially his grandchildren, at parties, athletic events, and the pool. Mike loved traveling, especially to Aruba, with his wife, Donna. He also loved participating in the annual Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon. His love for life and his quirky smirk will be incredibly missed by all.
Mike is survived by his wife, the former Donna Gardner, whom he married on November 1, 2002. Additionally, he is survived by his daughters, Tonia M. (Eric) Depson and Nicole A. Polidoro both of Pittsfield, and his son, Jason M. (Dana Krupinski) Polidoro of Malibu, CA as well as his stepdaughters Alyssa A. Capitanio and Hayley N. Duffy, both of Pittsfield, and his stepson, Stephen E. (Ashley Winters) Capitanio of Bunnlevel, NC. He is also survived by his siblings, Thomas (Constance) Polidoro of St. Augustine, FL, Gail (James) Peterson of Brattleboro, VT, Judy (Michael) Bernardo of Pittsfield, Cindy (Don Surnier) Polidoro of Pittsfield, Ricky Polidoro of Pittsfield, Sharon (Richard Pidgeon) Polidoro of Pittsfield, Geoffrey (Mary) Polidoro of Larkspur, CO, Diane (Paul) Miller of Loudonville, NY, and Sandy (Ken) Graves of Clifton Park, NY as well as his in-laws, Patricia Gardner of Dalton, William Gardner of Franklin, and Thomas (Jennifer) Gardner of Cortlandt Manor, NY. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Shirley Polidoro, his father-in-law, William Gardner, and his sister-in-law Bridget Gardner. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
SERVICES: Visitation will be held MONDAY, April 5, 2021 from 3-6 PM at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 89 Briggs Ave. Pittsfield, MA. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 10 AM, also held at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, celebrated by Rev. Peter A. Gregory, Chaplin of the Pittsfield Fire Department, and Rev. Dr. John F. Tuohey, Pastor, concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of Michael's life will be determined at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Iron Mike Polidoro Memorial Scholarship, which will help those who want to pursue an education in the fire sciences and other public services. Checks should be made payable to: "IAFF Local 2647" with "In memory of Deputy Polidoro" written in the memo and mailed to the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201. Alternatively, donations can be made online by visiting: https://gofund.me/2eb73fc6