John George McKechnie, 78, of Groton, won his battle with pneumonia and went to be with the Lord Jesus on Monday, June 16, 2008 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.
He was born February 26, 1930, in Sugar Notch, PA and was the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Finley) McKechnie.
Mr. McKechnie proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Jeanne Lois Foulks, on October 25, 1958, in Parsippany, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs McKechnie relocated to Mystic in 1962.
He was employed by Electric Boat Division in Groton, and retired after 30 years as an electrical engineer and supervisor. He attended the Community Baptist Church in Groton.
Jack was a well-liked, kind, and friendly man, known for his wonderful sense of humor, his unwavering devotion to his wife and family, and his love of playing golf. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants, the New York Yankees, and the UCONN Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.
He is perhaps best known for his lifelong involvment in Freemasonry. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, in Morristown, New Jersey, in 1956. After moving to Connecticut, he joined Charity and Relief Lodge (now Coastal Lodge), Stonington, where he was a life member. He is a Past Master of Coastal Lodge, having served as Worshipful Master in 1968 and again in 1983. His other distinguished offices include Past District Deputy in 1971 and again in 1972, and Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, 1989-1990. He was also a member of Fidelity Chapter #54, Order of Eastern Star, Niantic, Connecticut, where he was a member since 1964. He served as Worthy Patron seven times, the first of which was 1972-1973.
Jack will be sadly missed by his wife, Jeanne of Groton; a sister Hilma Turner & her husband Willard of Weatherly, PA; three daughters, Jacquelynn Lawrence of Lake Wales, FL, Karen Wescott & her husband Steve of Mystic, Beth Sweeney & her husband James of Oakdale; five grandchildren, Jonathan Lawrence of New London, Raymond and Colin Wescott, of Mystic, Shane and Erin Sweeney of Oakdale, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday from 6-8pm. Masonic and Eastern Star memorial services will both be held during those hours. A Funeral service will be conducted on Friday at 10:30am at the funeral home followed by burial with military honors at Elm Grove Cemetery.
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