John G. Gannon, 79, who recently moved to St. Simons Island from South Dartmouth, MA died of cancer at the Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA on April 17.
Jack grew up in the Midwest but spent summers in Richmond, VT on his grandparents’ farm. His family settled in Wellesley, MA where he graduated from high school in 1947. He graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1951 and earned his MBA from The Tuck School at Dartmouth in 1952.
Upon graduation Jack entered the United States Navy, serving for three years as a supply officer stationed in Key West, FL on The USS Wilke.
Jack worked for 20 years as Treasurer and Vice President of Finance at Cameo Curtains in New Bedford, MA. After retiring from Cameo he joined his wife Terry in running The Toy Box toy stores.
Jack had a lifelong dedication to education. He worked as a fundraiser for Dartmouth College and served on the Mattapoisett school committee for two terms. Jack also spent many years as a volunteer in the English as a Second Language program at the New Bedford Adult Learning Center.
Jack is survived by his wife of 45 years, Terry Gannon, his son John, daughter Julie Ritchie, daughter in law Mary Gannon, son in law Jay Ritchie, sister Susan Gannon, brother in law Edward Gannon, and grandchildren Jack, Nick and Lela Gannon and Griffin Ritchie.
Calling hours will be at the Saunders–Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett on Thursday April 30th from 4 to 7 PM. Jack’s funeral service will be at Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St. in New Bedford on Friday May 1st at 10:00 AM.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA or to The Gannon Family Fund for Center School in Mattapoisett (please make checks out to the Town of Mattapoisett, Center School account and send them to Principal Rosemary Bowman at PO box 477 Mattapoisett, MA 02739).
DIRECTIONS TO GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
133 SCHOOL ST.
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740
508-993-0547
www.gracechurchnb.org
THE CHURCH IS LOCATED ON THE CORNERS OF SCHOOL STREET AND COUNTY STREET
From the Boston Area:
From the Boston Area take Route 24S off of Route 93 (Route 128).
Take Route 140S (Exit 12) in Taunton to New Bedford.
Take the exit at Route 195E (toward Cape Cod).
After a few miles take the Downtown Exit (Exit 15, Route 18S).
Pass two sets of lights and then take an immediate right. This is School Street and follow it to the very end (County Street.)
The Church is on the right. There is some parking immediately to the right of the Church.
From New York and Providence:
From Fall River and Rhode Island take Route 195 East (to Cape Cod) and continue as above.
From Cape Cod:
From the cape take 195W and then continue as above.