MIDDLEVILLE - Bernard John "B.J." Dillon, 55, of Fairfield St., Middleville, passed away Dec. 26, 2001, with his family by his side, in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica, after a courageous battle with a glioblastoma brain tumor. He was born Sept. 29, 1946, in Herkimer, a son of the late John Francis and Anita Thuot Dillon. He was raised and educated in Herkimer, and graduated Herkimer High School "class of 1964." Upon completion of his education he enlisted with the U.S. Navy and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam conflict, serving on the USS Forrestal and the USS Kittyhawk. He was honorably discharged in 1968. On May 1, 1976, B.J. was united in marriage to Linda Engert in St. Francis de Sales Church. He was employed by the New York State Thruway Authority as a light equipment operator. He was a devout Catholic and active parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church, Herkimer. He will be remembered for his love of his family and the serenity of nature. B.J. is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Linda; three beloved daughters, Meghan, Kathryn and Kelly Dillon, all of the home address; one sister, Kathleen Reilly; a brother, Michael Dillon, both of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; cherished aunts and uncles, Julie and Bob Lasowski, Betty and Harrison Hummel; cousins, Marianne and Danny Stalteri, Chip and Judy Hummel, Carol and James Aufmuth, Mary Ann and Chet Fiato, Colleen and Brian Folgherait, Michael and Sharon Manion, John and Linda Manion, Denise Kerkovich and David and Lois Edwards; his in-laws, the Engert family; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father in 1951, his mother in 1992 and his grandparents, Homer and Annette Thuot, who with his mother helped raise him. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Francis de Sales Church, with the Rev. Mark Cunningham, pastor, officiating. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family will be present in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer, to receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4-8 p.m. The family requests that contributions in memory of B.J. be made to St. Francis de Sales Parish. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. B.J.'s family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to Dr. Clifford Soults, the nurses and staff of Intensive Care Unit, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, for all the care and kindness shown to him during his illness and passing. They also extend their heartfelt gratitude to his devout friends, Craig and Skeeter Gros, Father Mark Cunningham, the faculty and staff of St. Francis school and parish, co-workers at the New York State Thruway Authority, friends at Herkimer County Community College and so many other friends and neighbors who offered their support during our time of need.