John W. Harkins

1950 - 2014

February 10, 1950 - December 31, 2014
John W. Harkins passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones on December 31, 2014.
He was born February 10, 1950 to his parents William Jerome and Louie Adella (Divoll) Harkins of Bolton, Mass.
Graduating from Nashoba Regional High School in 1968 and Lyndon State College, Vt. in 1974, he eventually transitioned from teaching and counseling into carpentry, where his skilled eye and artistic imagination found a perfect outlet. Clients marveled at his ideas and what he could accomplish in a day. He married Joanie Dickson of South Orleans, Mass. in 1973, and they spent the next thirty years together mostly in his hometown. In 2003, he moved to New Salem, Mass. where he devoted his life to renovating his beloved 1770 farmhouse and barn, plus creating and tending to his truly remarkable flower gardens.
John discovered his gift for humor in grade school, where he honed his skills at being the class clown, which occasionally surfaced with his marionette puppets in adult life. He never missed a chance for a good laugh, and his jokes ran the gamut from intelligent to inane. His love of a good time was irrepressible. His own childlike nature was a natural draw to youngsters, who loved him and eagerly followed his lead in all sorts of shenanigans. A self-taught musician, John played with skill and gusto at gatherings and at musical events he volunteered for. People and the mystery of human nature fascinated him and he genuinely loved to learn more about anyone and everyone wherever he went. Working summers as a youngster at his uncle's dairy farm in Vermont, he truly became a farmer at heart, loving everything connected with agriculture and the rhythms of the seasons and was deeply devoted to the dogs and farm animals that shared his life.
In his final months, John was most fortunate to be adopted into the extended family of his loving caregiver, Natalie Reynolds of Orange, Mass. which gave him immense pleasure and comfort. A special thank you to many members of the Hospice of Franklin County team (especially to the compassionate and caring duo of Kathleen Reed and Deb Dion), and to his caring friends and neighbors who kept a watchful eye over him. He would be the first to admit that he had a knack for landing "butter side up."
He leaves his sister, Susan, of New London, N.H. and was predeceased by his parents and three brothers Steven, Jim and Jerry.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St, Orange, Mass.
John asked that no memorial contributions be made in his name. A celebration of his life, to be held at his home in the springtime, will be scheduled at a later date.