Jonathan Andrew Root of South Dartmouth, MA died peacefully at home on November 16th at the age of 54, following a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. He was the devoted husband of Alice (Anable) since 1979.
Born in Concord, MA, to Barbara (Hurst) and Andrew Root, Jon grew up in Shrewsbury. He attended the Bancroft School through 8th grade, and was a graduate of St. Mark’s School and Tufts University.
Jon’s great love was his family. He is survived by Alice and his sons Alexander, Andrew, and Anthony, and by his sisters, Harriett Root of Westborough and Deborah Carley of Concord, NH and their families.
He enjoyed the outdoors, believing there were few things “half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats,” whether fishing, sailing, waterskiing, or just enjoying the sun and sea. Skiing was another passion, leading Jon to join the Ski Patrol at Temple Mountain and Mount Sunapee in NH. He became a certified EMT and was a volunteer member of fire departments in Alaska, New Hampshire, and South Dartmouth.
Jon was a mechanical engineer by training and inclination, using his imagination and skill to employ technologies and improve peoples’ lives. He worked as a Rehabilitation Engineer at Crotched Mountain and started his own medical equipment business, He also developed and tested individual protection and field equipment as a civilian employee of the US Department of Defense in Natick, MA and Delta Junction, AK. While living in Alaska, Jon climbed to the summits of Mt. McKinley and Mt. Sanford.
In the final weeks of his illness, Jon was able to express his love to his family and friends, and tell them how much he appreciated being part of their lives. He was that rarest of creatures – a truly happy man. “I love the life I’ve lived. I’ve had a wonderful companion to share it with and I have no regrets – it’s been a blast!”
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: your own life. Take a vacation, have a party with the ones you love, hug your family and tell them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. If you wish, donate to your local homeless shelter or food pantry.
A service in celebration of Jon’s life will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 1:30 PM at the First Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, 17 Middle Street South Dartmouth, MA 02748.