WAYLAND: John Balcom “Jack” Wilson, 85 died peacefully on June 16, 2011 at the Newton Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health.
He was born in Boston on June 10, 1926 the son of the late Edmund Wilson and Dorothy (Balcom) Wilson.
Jack is survived by his children Dean F.Wilson of San Francisco, CA; Andrea W. Jones of Melrose; Bruce B. Wilson and his wife Kate of Marshfield and Nathan J. Wilson and his wife Anne of Wayland. Also survived by his step-children Karl E Bertelsen of Gainesville, FL and Joanne B. Barnett and her husband Sheppard of Wayland. Jack is also survived by 9 grandchildren. He was the husband of the late Joyce “Jo” Bertelsen Wilson who died in January of 2007.
Jack has been a resident of Wayland for over 59 years and previously resided in Newton where he graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1944. He received his BS in Business from Dartmouth College in 1947. Jack served his country with the United States Navy as an Apprentice Seaman.
He began his career with United Tool of Burlington in the early 1950’s and then was the President and on the Board of Directors for Philips Screw of Natick from the mid 1960’s until the 1970’s. Jack retired in 1981 after many years as the President of D/A General in Needham. He was a member of the Wayland Vokes Theatre and was an accomplished amateur photographer and enjoyed reading. Jack had a long and distinguished career serving the Town of Wayland in many capacities and was a faithful attendee of the town meetings. He served as a Library Trustee from 1985 until 2006; on the Charter Commission in 1989; on the Minuteman Tech Committee in 1978; on the Executive Search Committee in 1995; as a Road Commissioner from 1994 until 2001; on the Growth Policy Committee from 1995 until 1997; on the School Committee from 1960 until 1969; as a Commissioner of the Trust Fund from 2002 until 2011; on the Library Feasibility Study Committee from 2003 until 2005; as a Board of Assessor from 2007 until 2009; on the Wayland Historical Society from 1987 until 1989 and as a dedicated Wayland Selectman from 1970 until 1978. Jack was a strong supporter for the campaigns of Cile Hicks, Susan Pope and Hasty Evans. He was also a member of the Sudbury Valley Trustees.
Jack loved to spend time with his family at his home in Wayland or at the Brac in the Cayman Islands and was involved in the development of the Land Trust on Cayman Brac. He also loved to create hand carved objects from the sea grape trees on the Cayman Islands for family and friends. He will be remembered for his devotion as a town servant, as a wonderful friend and for his honesty and care of others.
A Memorial Service and celebration of his life will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the First Parish in Wayland, Route 20, Wayland Center.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial gifts in Jack’s memory may be sent to the Sudbury Valley Trustees, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland.
For on-line condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.