John F. Visser, Jr., 91, of Hingham, died July 8, 2008 at Norwell Knoll Nursing Home in Norwell.
Mr. Visser was born, as he liked to say, "on the kitchen table" at World's End Farm, where he spent the early years of his life. He was the son of Dutch immigrants, and was very proud of his Dutch heritage. He was a graduate of Hingham High School, Class of 1935. He continued to live in Hingham until he married the late Virginia (Hastings) Visser in 1951. They moved to Boston for the first few years of their marriage and then, in 1957, finished building their home on Woodbine Lane and returned to Hingham, remaining there throughout their fifty year marriage.
Mr. Visser worked for nearly forty years as a trust officer in the real estate department of the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company in Boston. He commuted very happily during the last several years of his career on the original Hingham Commuter Boat, and, upon his retirement in 1978, was honored when his fellow commuter boat riders place a plaque at the dock, (unofficially) naming it "John F. Visser, Jr. Pier."
He was a skilled woodworker and carpenter, having done much of the finish work on his home. After retiring, he enjoyed performing furniture repairs and various carpentry tasks for friends and acquaintances throughout Hingham. He also built wooden children's toys and household items which he sold for a time at area shops.
He was an avid outdoorsman who hiked and climbed extensively in the mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. He was happiest when he was high atop a mountain, tent camping with his family, or paddling his beautiful old canvas canoe.
He leaves a daughter, Heidi Visser Procter, a son-in-law, John L. Procter, and one grandson, William H. Procter, all of Dedham. He also leaves two nephews. He was the brother of the late William W. Visser.
At Mr. Visser's request, services and interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham, MA 02043.