John F. “Jack” Whitehouse
Lifelong Tewksbury Resident
TEWKSBURY: John F. “Jack” Whitehouse, age 91, passed away peacefully, at the Northwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on Saturday, February 6, 2016.
He was the beloved husband of Margaret L. “Peggy” (Morris) Whitehouse, who passed away on February 18, 2007.
Born in Tewksbury on July 24, 1924, he was the son of the late Ernest A. and Ethel L. (Lyddon) Whitehouse.
Jack attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury High School in 1942.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II with Company K 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division. He participated during the engagements in Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Naples Foggia. Jack was awarded many decorations for his military service including the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Prior to his honorable discharge from active duty on October 22, 1945, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Following his military service, Jack worked with the Teamster’s as a top route salesman for various distributors throughout the baking industry.
After retiring from the Teamsters, Jack worked for the Boston Federal Bank, a job he considered his “favorite”.
Jack’s passions in life were his family and being as active and social as possible. He loved being at the gym, on the ski slopes or on the tennis court. He also loved taking his bike out for a short 25 mile ride. Jack so enjoyed family and neighborhood get-togethers, especially those including a softball, volleyball, or ping-pong match and ending with a cold beer.
He will be greatly missed by his large and loving family, who would like to express their gratitude to the Staff at Bayberry Assisted Living and the Northwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for their care and compassion.
Jack is survived by his children, including daughters, Nancy Rourke and her husband James of Townsend, Judy August and her husband Peter of Methuen, Joan Petros and her husband Joe of Tewksbury, Patti Regan and her husband David of Merrimack, NH; sons, Fred Whitehouse and his partner Martha, and Bruce Whitehouse and his wife Karen of North Andover; sixteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. Jack will also be missed greatly by his beloved nephew, tennis and ski partner, Jack Whitehouse of Tewksbury.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Calling hours on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. At the request of the family funeral services are private. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. Those who wish may make a donation in Jack’s memory to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118.