Mr. John D. Helferich, a longtime resident of Rockport, MA, and beloved husband of Lynn M. (Furey) Helferich, passed away in Washington, DC, on Friday, April 27, 2018. He was 61 years old.
Born in Cincinnati, OH on February 15, 1957, he was the beloved son of the late Howard E. and Virginia F. (Jones) Helferich. Mr. Helferich earned both his undergraduate and Master's degrees from MIT, and was near completion of his PhD from MIT. John worked for many years in Research & Technology at Proctor & Gamble Corporation, Ocean Spray Cranberries, and Mars, Inc. He had recently been employed as a Consultant and was co-founder and co-proprietor of the recently opened Oak & Iron Brewery in Andover, MA.
Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Helferich was committed to pursuing further education for himself, and enabling many others the same opportunity. He was extremely outgoing and his exuberant and affable nature was enjoyed by everyone he knew. A generous spirit, Mr. Helferich freely shared both time and resources with family, fellow students, veterans of the military, and many
departments at MIT. He was a brilliant man who continually explored interests as diverse as food safety, history, theater, genealogy and woodworking. He infused fun and spontaneity into all his efforts, and his warm humor and open heart will be dearly missed.
Besides his beloved wife, Lynn, he is survived by his two loving sons and one daughter-in-law; Douglas M. Helferich and his wife, Courtney Evans of Jamaica Plain, MA and Steven B. Helferich of San Francisco, CA. He is also survived by two sisters; Carol Davis (Tony) of Greer, SC, and Ann (Gregory) Curtin of Knoxville, TN and four nephews; Matthew and Michael Davis of Greer, SC, Kevin Curtin of Seattle, WA and Brian Curtin of West Point, NY. He also leaves behind the extended Furey family who will miss him greatly.
His Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Free Christian Church, 31 Elm Street, Andover, MA on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Calling hours will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, MA on Monday, May 7, 2018, from 4 to 8 PM. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Beta Chapter of Theta Chi, P. O. Box 397253, Cambridge, MA 02139, or to MIT Makerspaces at https://giving.mit.edu/give/now (Mechanical Engineering Makerworks Fund 3891291) or to the Sepsis Alliance at Sepsis Alliance, 1855 First Avenue, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92101. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.