Joseph A. John, 85, of Dartmouth died Monday June 4, 2007 at home after a brief illness.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Nahum and Amelia (El-Hillow) John, he lived in New Bedford before moving to Dartmouth 35 years ago.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Purgatory Church.
Mr. John was formerly employed as an insurance representative for Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. He later worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Battles of the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was wounded and captured and held as a Prisoner of War in Germany. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon with three service stars, the American Campaign ribbon, the Good Conduct medal, and the World War II Victory medal.
He was a member of the Lebanese-American Veterans Association and the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include three sisters, Anne J. Thomas of New Bedford, and Rose M. John and Theresa L. John, both of Dartmouth; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth V. John of Dartmouth; and many nieces and nephews, including Christopher John and his wife Susan of Norton, Cathleen Bruno and her husband Michael of Freetown, and Suzanne John of Boston.
He was the brother of the late Marie Ann Coury, Sgt. J. Thomas John, Dr. George R. John, and Professor Anthony J. John.
His Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in Our Lady of Purgatory Church. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Remembrances may be made to Our Lady of Purgatory Church, 11 Franklin St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Holy Family-Holy Name School, 91 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.