Former vaulter killed in car crash (MA)

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http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/loca ... 43234.html

Former Methuen man mourned by friends, relatives

By Yadira Betances
ybetances@eagletribune.com
METHUEN — Anthony DiTommaso had a lot to celebrate Friday.

It was his 29th birthday, a box truck he and his business partner converted into a canteen passed inspection, and his brother Nathan had a phenomenal day as a player for the Fitchburg State College football team.

Then, in a matter of hours, the happiness turned into sadness. DiTommaso died Saturday at 1:45 a.m. after losing control of his Ford Windstar on Interstate 91 in Middletown, Conn.

The van rolled over several times before it struck a tree, according to police, who are still investigating the accident.

His passenger, Megan Connors, 30, of Wallingford, Conn., was initially listed in critical condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital but was released Monday.

DiTommaso's mother, Bonnie-beth Krikorian of Methuen, learned of her son's death when two Methuen police officers came to her home Saturday morning.

"I didn't suspect anything and when they told me, then I screamed out hysterically, 'No, God No. Not Anthony," she said last night.

Krikorian recalled how she had spoken to her son three or four times on Friday.

"We had the most wonderful conversations that morning. He had the most positive day ever," she said.

DiTommaso, who lived in Plymouth, Conn., had just spent a week's vacation with his 6-year-old daughter, Jasmine, and was returning from his birthday celebration when the accident occurred.

"A lot of times when people break up, the father goes by the wayside. The two were extremely, extremely close," Krikorian said.

"He wanted to spend every waking moment with his daughter."

DiTommaso and Jasmine enjoyed singing karaoke, hiking and snowboarding.

"He was the most positive, happy-go-lucky person I knew," his mother said. "He never ever complained or had a bad word to say about anyone."

The 1998 Methuen High School graduate was an exceptional student who also excelled in athletics, playing tight end and defensive end on the football team, and placing second in the state in the pole vault.

"It was a pleasure having him at Methuen High," said Arthur Nicholson, who was principal for two years while DiTommaso was there. "He led by example because he was the real student-athlete."

Nicholson recalled attending the football games, wrestling matches and track meets in which DiTommaso participated.

"When you lose one of your students, it's tough," said Nicholson, an educator for 42 years. "I feel a great deal of sadness and a sense of loss. But it's wonderful how the community comes together to help everybody through times like these."

He was on the varsity wrestling team, and during his junior year was a member of Methuen High's first team to make it to the state wrestling championship. His wrestling coach, Bill James, called him "a throwback athlete."

"He was one of those kids who were pretty solid in all three sports. He was a wiry strong, with a special toughness and a great competitor. He accomplished a lot on his own will."

DiTommaso also excelled in the classroom, where he was an honor student.

"His death is definitely a big loss for Methuen because he was a great example for the athletic community," James said.

"He helped young wrestlers head in the right direction by giving them words of encouragement and being a great role model, always giving 100 percent," James said.

During his senior year, DiTommaso received the Sportsman's Award Trophy and also the Outstanding Lineman Trophy.

DiTommaso attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he played rugby. He also participated in mixed martial arts.

David DiTommaso of Methuen said his cousin and godson always enjoyed the outdoors and fondly recalled their time fishing together and playing baseball in the yard.

Other than sports, one of DiTommaso's other passions in life was cooking. His culinary interests were sparked by his mother and stepfather, who made everything from scratch, including pasta and bread. They had a garden where they grew all the vegetables they put on the dinner table.

DiTommaso worked at Findeisen's Ice Cream in Methuen at 14, then delivered food to the concession stands at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H. He began working at Bugaboo Creek restaurant in Methuen as a line cook and later trained all the other cooks on the line. After he moving to Connecticut to be closer to his daughter, he worked for Carmen Anthony's Restaurant and A. Joseph's Restaurant. DiTommaso was most recently a chef for Pomperaug Woods in Southbury, Conn.

"He had a methodical mind and a wonderful palate that he could taste something and tell you all the ingredients in it," his mother said.

A music lover, he taught himself to play the guitar after watching his father and grandfather play. DiTommaso liked everything from classical music to hard rock with Pink Floyd and Tool among his favorite bands, Krikorian said.

He enjoyed learning about the people and costumes of other countries and tribes. DiTommaso also took pride in his Scottish heritage, learning history and about the Scottish Highlands.

"He was like a walking Discovery Channel. He knew about all cultures, all walks of life," Krikorian said.

Calling hours for DiTommaso are today from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home in Methuen. A funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel.