John W. Gore

CHATHAM — John W. Gore, of Chatham, age 93, died on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at Cape Cod Hospital. He was the husband of the late Lauretta (Lynch) Gore.

John was born in Dekalb Junction, N.Y., and was raised and educated in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Woonsocket, R.I. He graduated from Dean Academy as valedictorian of his class and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1937.

After college, John worked for the Woolworth Co. for 18 years, and then worked for Butler Brothers as a regional manager for the Ben Franklin stores. In 1965, he purchased the Ben Franklin store in Chatham and ran it until his daughter took over the business in 1987.

He was active in community affairs as a member of the Chatham Finance Committee for six years, and three as chairman; he was also president of the chamber of commerce. John was a very loving family man who enjoyed gardening, opera, football, power boating on Cape Cod waters, playing Skip-bo and crossword puzzles.

John is survived by two daughters, Ida Mae and her husband Abdul H. Raoof of East Harwich, Lynn Doron and her partner William Gilpatric of Chatham; dear friend Betty Marshall of Chatham; and four grandchildren, Ali "Evan" and his wife Elizabeth Raoof of Michigan, Anisa Raoof and her husband Douglas Itkin of Providence, R.I., Heidi and her husband Adam Curette of Charlotte, N.C., and Karl Doron of Santa Barbara, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Ethan Itkin; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chatham Drama Guild, Crowell Road, Chatham MA, 02633 or National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter 101 A First Ave, Suite 6, Waltham MA, 02451.

Nickerson Funeral Home

508-945-1166