John F. Visser Jr.

Hingham 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 50 year marriage. Mr. Visser worked for nearly 40 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 placed 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 loved being high atop a mountain, tent camping with his family and paddling his beautiful old canvas canoe. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop #1 of Hingham as a boy and continued his enthusiastic involvement with the scouts as an adult. 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. Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel of Hingham handled the arrangements. www.downingchapel.com