DRACUT-John V. "Jeep" Ahearn, 82, a resident of Dracut, and formerly a longtime resident of Lowell died Monday, February 12th in Lowell General Hospital.
He was born on August 8, 1924 in Lowell the son of the late John J. and the late Daisy (Beaulieu) Ahearn. Mr. Ahearn attended Sacred Heart School and St. Patrick's Boys School. He attended Lowell High School and was a member of the class of 1941. Jeep was headed to a major league baseball career when World War II started and put this all on hold.
During World War II Jeep served as a signalman on board the United States Naval Destroyer the U.S.S. Runels-A85, where he participated in many battles and rescues.
At the conclusion of World War II he became employed by the New England Telephone Company now know as Verizon, where he worked as a lineman for 43 years until retiring in 1989.
He was an avid sports fan; his love of baseball made him one of the utmost authorities of the sport. Jeep played softball for the Lefty's Softball Team in Lowell well into his 60's, and was a key player that helped lead the team to the grand championship in 1980. Jeep is one of the greatest baseball players Lowell has ever seen. He also was a great bowler, breaking many of the lane records while playing for the Saba Cafe bowling team. He loved jazz and the big band era.
He is survived by his children, Cynthia Ahearn of Lowell, Sharon Ahearn Svatik of Sebastian, FL and Kathleen Ahearn of Keene, NH also the children of his first marriage, John Ahearn, Carol Ahearn and Susan Ahearn all of Lowell; his sister Lillian Wojcik and her husband Joseph of Bristol, CT and their three children, Kevin, Brian and Daniel Wojcik; many grandchildren including, Kristyn Chartier of Lowell, Jennifer and Amanda Stackelbeck of Florida and John Ahearn Tarsa of Lowell and many great grandchildren.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT on Friday from 2:00 until 7:00 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7295.