John "Jack" Meehan

80, of Winthrop, MA, died May 31 at Massachusetts General Hospital, while surrounded by family and friends. He was brother of late Master Sergeant, US Army, Robert Meehan, Elgin, OK. He is survived by his children and their spouses: John (Susy) Meehan of Munsonville, NH; Frank Meehan of Bennington, NH; Susan Meehan of Cambridge, MA; Jeff Meehan of Milford, NH; Nancy (Brad) Craven of Mont Vernon, NH; Robert (Chris) Meehan of Middlesex, VT; as well as eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his long-time sailing companion and partner Janet Finley of Medford, with whom he sailed his ocean-going yawl for over a decade. Jack was born in Boston and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17, where he served mainly aboard the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin during WWII. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans. Jack attended Boston University and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Journalism. He also attended Northeastern University and the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in Annapolis, MD. Jack spent his career as a public relations executive in Manhattan and Boston and was active in Democratic Party politics and held strong beliefs in the protection of civil liberties and separation of church and state. Jack was an avid sailor and spent many years after retirement sailing through the Atlantic and Caribbean seas. One of his favorite poems was John Masefield's "Sea Fever": "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by." He will be fondly remembered and his family and friends would agree "though much has been taken, much abides." There will be a memorial service and reception at the Winthrop Yacht Club, 649 Shirley Street, Friday, June 6th at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends cordially invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John Meehan to the Massachusetts General Hospital at www.mghgifts.org or Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.