John J. Baughan May 16, 1928 – December 4, 2020
John J. Baughan, known more often as Jack, died peacefully at his home in North Dartmouth, MA, with his wife of 64 years, the former Beverley Bartlett, at his side. Mr. Baughan was the owner manager of Valcourt Industrial Supply Co. in Fall River, MA, from 1979 until his retirement in 2005.
Mr. Baughan was born in Minneapolis, MN, on May 16, 1928, to Jay T. and Mary Hicks Baughan. He is preceded in death by his sister, Dr. Marjorie White of California and Australia. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and served in the United States Air Force as a B-26 combat pilot during the Korean War. He received eight decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross while assigned to the 13th Night Intruder Squadron of the 5th Air Force Far East, and as group combat operations officer for the 3rd Bomb Group. Lt. Baughan’s commitment to the Air Force, while unshakable, did not always extend to compliance with regulations. He narrowly avoided reprimand one afternoon when witnesses could not positively confirm it was Jack’s bomber that “buzzed” the wedding reception of the base commander’s daughter.
Following his service in Korea, Jack attended a graduate engineering program at the University of Toronto, where he met and married Beverley Bartlett, and where the couple’s first two children were born. After several senior management posts with Curtiss Wright Corporation in Canada and New Jersey, Mr. Baughan graduated from The Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He served as Executive Vice President of Leesona Corp. in Warwick, RI and later as Group VP for the Textile Machinery Group of Rockwell International in Hopedale, MA and Pittsburgh, PA. In 1979, he stepped away from the corporate world to acquire Valcourt Industrial Supply Co of Fall River, MA, which he owned and managed for 25 years. During his time at Valcourt, Jack developed a heart for the city and people of Fall River. Active in a number of civic organizations, Jack was particularly proud of The Salvation Army, whose Advisory Board he chaired for 25 years. He could be seen each Christmas season “ringing the bell” to raise funds for the poor. He served also as Chairman of Junior Achievement of Greater Fall River, and enjoyed opportunities to help young people understand and access the benefits of education and a satisfying career path.
Jack moved to Westport, MA in 1988, where for many years his family enjoyed membership in the Acoaxet Club. He served on the Town of Westport Finance Committee for 15 years, including a term as Chairman. He also served on the Capital Planning Committee, and was an unsuccessful candidate for Selectman in 1992. Jack’s personal interests included boating on the Westport River, tennis, and spending evenings at home with family around the fire pit where he often mixed and served his signature “GrandDad Special” beverage concoctions. Jack maintained a lifelong passion for West Point and the US Military, serving on the West Point Board of Trustees for many years and President of the West Point Society of New York. He was always an enthusiastic supporter of Army football.
Mr. Baughan is survived by his wife, Beverley, and five children, Michael (Julie) of Winston Salem, NC; Peter (Grace) of Washington, D.C.; Mark (Ines) of Hong Kong; Mary Louise Howley (Kevin) of Hamilton, MA; and Nicholas (Eileen) of Philadelphia, PA. He was especially proud of his 15 grandchildren, each of whom mastered the phrase “Beat Navy!” at an early age. He always made time for them with his good humor, calm perspective and wise counsel.
Starting from his time flying night combat missions in Korea, Jack embarked upon a personal faith journey that, with the encouragement of Beverley, developed and matured into a true love for Jesus over the course of his lifetime. It was this love and trust that gave him peace at the time of his passing. He and Beverley were active members of the Spirit of Christ Church, in Dartmouth, MA.
At the time of his death, Jack and Beverley were residents of The Cottages at North Dartmouth, where they made many new friends.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the amazing caregivers at The Cottages, as well as to the truly outstanding COVID care team at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
A memorial service for Jack will be planned at a later date.