John Armitage Studer, 78 years old, of Sopchoppy Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Assonet, Massachusetts, on October 15, 2017 after a courageous struggle with cancer.
John was born on March 15, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Dr. Donald J. Studer and Marguerite A. Studer (nee Armitage). John is preceded in death by his wife of 21 years Peggy Patrick Studer, brother Donald J. Studer Jr., sister Donna Sandler of Natick, MA, and sister Marguerite Studer-Sperl of Minneapolis, MN. He is survived by his sister Jane Lund of Minneapolis, MN, brother David Studer of St. Paul, MN, and brother Daniel Studer of Coeur d’ Alene, ID. He is survived by his loving and faithful companion Sharon Ouellette of Assonet, MA. John leaves behind 4 children from his marriage to Carolyn Studer of Middletown, RI: Michele Studer Stengård of Zürich, Switzerland, Marguerite A. Studer Fetro of N. Chelmsford, MA, Lorraine M. Studer of Chesapeake, VA and John A. Studer, Jr of Brooklyn, NY; and seven grandchildren: Dylan Florendo, Aidan Murray, Samuel Murray, Lily Murray, Madeleine Stengård, Sebastian Stengård, and Linnea Stengård.
John grew up in Faribault, MN and graduated from Bethlehem Academy in 1956. He earned his bachelors degree in 1960 at the University of Notre Dame and went on to earn his law degree at William Mitchell College of Law. In March 1965, he enlisted in the United States Navy eventually attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He continued his military career in the Judge Advocate General Corps as an attorney and then later as a judge reaching the rank of Commander. He retired in Jacksonville, Florida after 27 years of service. John then moved to Sopchoppy, Florida where he spent his retirement years amongst the good people and beautiful old Florida nature snuggled in the Wakulla National Forest.
John loved to spend his time outdoors fiddling with his garden equipment, mowing his expansive lawn, tending to the Azalea hedges and trimming towering oak trees. He enjoyed a strong Manhattan after a day’s hard work in the sun and heat quietly listening to the buzz of bees, hummingbirds and crickets on the back porch. An avid sailor, John took to the water whenever he had a chance with his beloved MacGregor 22 and anyone who’d join him. As a loyal Notre Dame alum, John never missed a Notre Dame Football game and took every opportunity to see his team play. John also had a love for Johnny Cash and Jimmy Buffet. It was not uncommon to be awoken by beautifully played classical piano pieces early in the morning in the Studer household. He inherited his love and gift for piano from his mother, Marguerite.
John had a dry wonderful sense of humor, an amazing intellect, appreciation of nature and unwavering devotion for his beagles and hound dogs. He will be sorrowfully missed yet we can take comfort in his peaceful transition on his journey through life.
A memorial funeral mass and military honors ceremony will be held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 30 S. Main Street, Assonet, MA, 02702 on Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at 9am. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to: Senior Houndsabound, 3118 Wessex Street, Orlando, FL, 32803. http://seniorhoundsabound.org/donate/
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, Inc. 1521 N. Main St. Fall River, MA 02720