Joseph Berry Dillard

Joseph Berry Dillard, 58, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2026. Joe was the beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Dillard and the loving father of Jackson Henry Dillard, both of Cambridge.

Joe, affectionately known as “Berry” by his family, was born in Conway, SC on March 21, 1967. He was the youngest son of the late Rev. Henry and Kate Dillard. Joe was educated in South Carolina schools and graduated from Johnsonville High School in 1985. He earned an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Joe chose a career in cooking and kitchen management, working at several large restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area. He trained as an apprentice with professional chefs, learning how to butcher, prepare sauces, and employ French techniques. He was known for his smoked barbecue ribs, authentic jambalaya, and truly outstanding hollandaise sauce. He was also a talented baker.

In 1997, Joe met Beth and they began an online friendship. He came to visit Cambridge in November of 1997 and decided to stay. The couple was married on August 15, 1998. They enjoyed nearly 28 years of marriage. They loved cruising and traveled to many islands and countries together. Walt Disney World was also a favorite destination.

After moving to Cambridge, Joe worked as a cook at the former Livery Café in Greenwich and at the former Babson’s in Hoosick Falls.

The Dillards welcomed their son, Jackson, in 2004. Joe was an excellent father. He and Jack enjoyed fishing, sports, and playing games together. Over the past few years, Joe shared his love of cooking with Jack, teaching him kitchen techniques and recipes. They both loved movies, especially Marvel Universe films.

To spend more time with his family, Joe switched his career to institutional cooking. He cooked at the Hoosick Falls Health Center before taking a job at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, where he worked as a Cook/Baker for 14 years. He became the Kitchen Manager for Bennington County Meals on Wheels in 2013 and retired in 2015 due to disability.

In his early years, Joe made many friends playing card games, such as Magic the Gathering. He participated in and won several tournaments. He was a beta tester for the online version of the game and was flown to Seattle to participate in a “fans versus creators” tournament in 2009. He led the fans team to victory. After retirement, Joe spent many hours playing online games, making friends in many states and countries.

Joe's favorite sport was football. He played while attending Johnsonville High and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Joe also loved the beach, especially in Garden City, SC.

Like his mother, Kate, Joe had a beautiful singing voice. His rendition of O Holy Night was breathtaking.

In addition to his wife and son, survivors include two brothers, Stephen H. Dillard (Teresa) and John D. Dillard, all of Sumter, SC; one nephew, Brent Dillard of Sumter, SC; one special uncle, Thomas McDowell of Garden City Beach, SC; and a host of cousins with fond childhood memories. On his wife’s side, Joe had 18 nieces and nephews, 12 great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Joe was predeceased by his parents and one sibling, Margaret D. Cummings.

Arrangements are by Ackley, Ross & Gariepy Funeral Home in Cambridge. Private memorial gatherings will be conducted this Spring in South Carolina and this summer in Cambridge.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad or to the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department.

To express sympathy or share a memory of Joe, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

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