Professor Anthony J. John, 85, of Dartmouth, died Monday October 31, 2005 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a long, extended illness. He was the husband of Elizabeth V. (Mitchell) John.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Nahum and Amelia (El-Hillow) John, he had lived in New Bedford and Dartmouth for most of his life.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Purgatory Church in New Bedford, and was an active member of St. Joseph's Sodality. Mr. John was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontiface Award bestowed on him by the Pope for his devoted and distinguished service to the Church.
Mr. John was a graduate of New Bedford High School, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston College on 1950 and a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Boston College in 1957. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics from Northeastern University in 1960.
He taught in the New Bedford Public School system until he joined the faculty of New Bedford Institute of Technology in 1954, where he established the Newman Association that same year. He later became a professor and chairman of the Department of Mathematics at Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass-Dartmouth, retiring in 1988 after 34 years of teaching. In 1982, he received the Leo M. Sullivan Teacher of the Year Award.
He was a member of Serra Club of New Bedford.
During World War II, he served with the 8th Air Force 389th Bomb Group flying 32 combat missions aboard a B-24 Bomber in the European Theater. For his gallant service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. As a Lieutenant Colonel he served 27 years of active and Reserve duty.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Tommy John, and his wife Lisa, of Lynnfield; a daughter, Lisa John of Dartmouth; a brother, Joseph A. John of Dartmouth; three sisters, Anne J. Thomas of New Bedford and Rose M. John and Theresa L. John, both of Dartmouth; a grandson, Nathaniel John; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Marie Ann Coury, Sgt. J. Thomas John and Dr. George R. John.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, Saturday November 5, 2005 at 7:45 AM. Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Purgatory Church, New Bedford at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday November 4, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Nurse & Hospice Care, P.O. Box 831, Fairhaven, MA 02719.