John M. Reeves “Loving Father” 88, of Abington, passes away Sunday December 12 after a short period of failing health. He was the loving husband of the late Barbara J. (Conrad) Reeves.
John was born at home in Gregsville, WV on April 6, 1933, son of Earl and Mary (Moran) Reeves. He grew up with three sisters and one brother. As a young boy he liked to hunt and fish and he was a great “teller of stories”. His bond remained strong with his West Virginia family and he was sure to return “down home” every year. He is survived by one sister and was preceded in death by his brother and two sisters.
John enlisted in the US Navy as a young man, and served from 1951-1959. He was a Gunners Mate 2nd Class, serving on the USS Salem (CA-139) for five years. In later years he was one of the volunteers that helped to restored the ship, which is now a museum docked at the Fore River Ship Yard in Quincy.
After he was discharged from the Navy, John went to work for Bethlehem Steel and the Quincy Shipyard. While working, he attended Wentworth Institute nights and earned his degree in Electrical Engineering. He then went on to work for C.T. Main, Jackson & Moreland and Stone & Webster.
He along with his wife Barbara, had traveled all over the world and completed three cross country trips of the United States.
He is survived by his daughter Elaine Jansky of Milton, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews in WV and NH. He was the father of the late Sheila LaFluer.
Family and friends are invited to attend his visiting hours on Tuesday December 21 from 11:00am-12:30pm with a service to follow at 12:30 pm in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Burial will be in the Milton Cemetery.