LACONIA ---- John ‘Jack’ Fremont Weeks, Jr. was born in Laconia, NH on December 7, 1932, and died there on his 91st birthday surrounded by family. Jack, a ninth generation native Granite Stater, was the third of John Fremont Weeks, Sr., and Esther Marion (Smith) Weeks’ four children.
He grew up on the family farm at the top of Gunstock Hill Road in Gilford, NH helping out with the haying, maple sugaring and milking their herd of dairy cattle. It was during this time that his father started Weeks Dairy, a milk processing, food distribution, and restaurant business originally located on S. Main Street in Laconia. Jack graduated from Laconia High School in 1950 then University of New Hampshire in 1955 with a BS in Animal Science. After a brief stint in the Army to fulfill his UNH-ROTC commitment, he returned to Laconia and joined the family business.
Weeks Dairy Bar was a community gathering place enjoyed by many including teenagers in town for an ice cream sundae after Friday night football games. It was also the place where Jack met his future wife Pat who was working there as a waitress in the summer of 1957. As the story goes, she used to make ‘mistakes’ on customer orders that she then brought back to share with him and ‘chat him up’ as he worked in the milk plant behind the restaurant. Apparently, it worked, as they were married in 1958 and spent 65 loving years together raising their children, building a business, serving their community and traveling the world.
Jack succeeded his father as president of Weeks Dairy Foods in 1969 and together with his younger brother Bob, shepherded it through acquisitions and consolidations that led to it becoming one of New Hampshire’s most recognized home-grown companies. Following the merger with Concord Dairy in 1970, the milk processing operations moved to North State Street in Concord where it continued to grow, including expanding the ice cream manufacturing and distribution business. The company was acquired by Crowley Foods (now HP Hood) in 1988 and Jack retired from the business side of his life in 1989.
After 12 years of commuting, Jack and Pat moved from Laconia to Concord in 1982 to be closer to his work and become immersed in their new community of friends and activities. They maintained their Lakes Region connection with the purchase of a home on Lake Winnisquam, establishing a summer gathering place for family and friends over their many years of ownership. His three grandsons and their friends will forever remember the summertime fun they enjoyed ‘at the lake’ while growing up. Their winter home on Marco Island, FL was another place where they established an extensive network of friends and generously hosted those looking to escape the cold New England winters.
Jack had a lifelong commitment to giving back to his community via direct involvement in organizations he felt were doing important and impactful work. UNH held a special place in his heart, and he dedicated many years to supporting his beloved alma mater. In addition to attending countless football and hockey games, his activities included Alumni Association Board Director, founding member of the UNH Foundation, and alumni representative on the University System Board of Trustees. He received multiple awards including the Alumni Association’s Meritorious Service Award, UNH Profile of Service Award, UNH Foundation Volunteer of the Year, and UNH Center for Family Enterprise Lifetime Achievement award. In 1990, he was elected to serve the first of three consecutive terms in the NH House of Representatives as a Republican representing Concord. Other Board service included 30 years on the Board of Laconia Savings Bank (now Bank of NH), Director of the NH Charitable Foundation, Trustee and past Chair of NH Public Radio and several other nonprofit civic and charitable organizations. Community, faith and fraternal organization memberships included the Congregational Church (Laconia & Concord), Concord Rotary, Laconia Kiwanis Club, Snowshoe Club, and Lakes Region Flying Club.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Foley) Weeks, daughters Sheryl A. Weeks and her husband Stephen Bobotas (Laconia, NH) and Jane E. Weeks (Salem, MA), sons John F. Weeks III and his wife Gail (Bedford, NH) and Michael A. Weeks (Boscawen, NH), grandchildren, Andrew M. Weeks and his wife Caroline, Matthew P. Weeks and Timothy J. Weeks, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, beloved sister Joann Weeks Bailey and husband Bob, brother David S. Weeks, and brother Robert B. Weeks and wife Sheila.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 4:00pm-6:00pm, using the Carriage House entrance, at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 10:00, at the Congregational Church of Laconia, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations in Jack’s name be made to the UNH Foundation, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824, or Boys & Girls Clubs of Central & Northern NH, 55 Bradley Street, Concord, NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.