Clarence D. “Dan” Tillinghast
Family & friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, Oct.15th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home 
for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte 107),REVERE, for Retired Revere Deputy Fire Chief Clarence D. “Dan” Tillinghast, who passed at his Saugus residence on Sunday Oct. 11th, in the presence of his loving God & family, following a lengthy illness. His funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 16th at 9:30 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. MARGARET’s Church, 431 Lincoln Ave. Saugus at 10:30 AM.
Born & raised in Revere, he was the son of the late John T. Tillinghast & Annie (Coomey) Tillinghast. The Tillinghast family was one of the first settling families, in the early 1900s on “top of Mountain Avenue”, where family still remain to this day. After graduating Revere High School in 1956, he entered the US AIR FORCE, serving until November of 1959. He then began his career with the Revere Fire Department in 1962, retiring in 1994. Dan was also an alumnus of Bunker Hill Community College, graduating in 1979, with an associate’s degree in Fire Science. His joy was his family, and then the time at Fire Department where he made many, many long enduring friendships, only interrupted with the passing of one. Dan was a tall man, over six feet & resplendent in his dress uniform with a larger than life personality. He seldom encountered, negative energy, only to channel it to the positive zone. He and his wife, of 56 years, Marie (Santosuosso) Tillinghast, traveled the country, forging new friendships & relationships over their many years, together. As life moves on, there is always and always will be , tragedies, events, situations, that alter the joy of living. Their road, was no exception with the sudden & unexpected death of their son, “Danny” on December 30, 1991. Only because of the grace of God, & their full realization of that fact, & their tremendous courage & determined attitude, did they finally arrive at a peaceful time. And never to diminish, the love & continuing support of their other two children, and the presence of both Marie & Dan’s large family of siblings, nieces, nephews & extended family. Dan & Marie especially enjoyed their time at their cottage in China, Maine. He was also a member of the SAUGUS VFW Post.
He is the devoted father of Kathleen M. Ballard & her husband, David L. of Brentwood, NH., Brian J. Tillinghast & his wife, Christine of Weston, Fla. & the late Daniel L. Tillinghast. He is the proud grandfather to: Reed C. , Ella C. & Cade L. Tillinghast, all of Weston, Fla., Dylan T. & Danielle M. Woodman both of Brentwood, NH., David L. Ballard, III of East Kingston, R.I., Brittney L. Ballard of St. Petersburg, FI., Megan E. Ballard of Portsmouth, N.H. He is the dear brother of Irving E. Tillinghast & his wife, Helen of Melrose & the late, John T. Jr., Ernest, Robert, Paul J. Tillinghast & Maureen Ratacik. He is also lovingly survived by his sister- in-law Dorothy Tillinghast of Revere, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & grand-nephews. Interment will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, West Peabody.
Services
Visiting Hours
Thursday, October 15th from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass
Friday, October 16th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Margaret Church, 431 Lincoln Ave, Saugus
Interment
Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Surfers For Autism, Inc.7491 N. Federal Hwy, C5-180 Boca Raton FL 33487 or by visiting www.surfersforautism.org
Marie, I was so very sorry to learn the news about Dan from Mal. I have very fond memories of him (and the whole Tillinghast clan!). I will never forget that he accompanied my Aunt Evie to the hospital the night she died; I can’t think of anyone better that I would have liked for her to have by her side during that ride.
Dan was a special man and I hope that your memories of him will help you and Kathy and Brian through this most difficult time.
In Deepest Sympathy,
Charlene Follett