John E. “Jocko” Upton, 64, formerly of Charlestown, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Catholic Medical Center, Manchester. He was born February 24, 1950 in Boston, MA a son of the late Joseph and Emily (Harring) Upton. Mr. Upton proudly served his country as a member of the US Army during the Vietnam War, where he was a recipient of two Bronze Star Medals for valor and three Purple Hearts. He served many years as a Firefighter with the City of Boston, retiring in 1989. Jocko enjoyed deer hunting with his nephews in 2013, fishing at Back Lake, and eating at Derry Diner and Lei’s Garden of Derry.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Pappas) Upton of Charlestown, MA, two sons, John E. Upton and his companion, Elizabeth Wadman of Charlestown, MA and Charles R. Upton and his wife Erin of Windham, NH, four daughters, Jenna Upton of Marlborough, MA, Jill Upton, Julie Upton and Jaclyn Upton, all of Derry, the mother of his daughters, Janice Gifford of Derry, six grandchildren, two brothers, Melvin Upton and his wife Sis of Charlestown, MA and Herbert Upton and his wife Carol of Malden, MA four sisters, Emily Lorino and her husband Anthony of Stoneham, MA, Maureen Doherty of Hampton, NH, Blanche Demling of Maine and Ruth Capraro and her husband Ricky of Medford, MA, one brother-in-law, Jopa Fitzpatrick and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Joseph Upton, Charles Upton and Margaret Fitzpatrick.
Calling hours were held Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 1 – 4pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH. Funeral services followed at 4:00pm in the funeral home. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 12:00pm in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 100 Route 3, Boscawen, NH. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate.