John Herron

John Herron, an architect and supporter of numerous historic preservation initiatives, died Friday at his home in Worcester. He was 90.

Mr. Herron was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, the son of Robert and Hazel I. (Downs) Herron. His wife of 45 years, Frances M. (Dresser) Herron, was born in Worcester and died in 1995. He is survived by his children: John Jr. and his wife, Julia L. Moore, of Cambridge; Frank F. and his wife, Sandra A. Urie, of Winchester; Josephine R. L. Truesdell and her husband, Philip A., of Worcester; and Mary D. Herron and her husband Seth F. C. Richardson of Chicago. In addition, he leaves seven grandsons: Andrew C. Herron of Boston; Stephen M. Herron of Winchester; Edward W. Herron of Syracuse, N.Y.; Samuel B. Truesdell of Worcester; Levi L. W. Herron of Cambridge; and Benjamin N. and Lincoln H. S. Richardson of Chicago.

Mr. Herron attended Chillicothe public schools and Ohio State University, was graduated from Denison University, and received a master's degree in architecture from the Yale University School of Architecture. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Herron lived in Worcester for 58 years, practicing architecture for 40 years as a sole practitioner and then as a partner in Herron & Carlson, AIA. He was a corporate member of the American Institute of Architects, a past member of the Boston Society of Architects and the State Association of Architects. He was a founder of both Preservation Worcester and the Salisbury Mansion Associates, and from 1969-72 was director of the Worcester Historical Society where he was an early advocate promoting Worcester's industrial heritage. He was a member of the American Antiquarian Society, a past corporator and past chairman of the Members Council of the Worcester Art Museum, a corporator of the Worcester Children's Friend Society, the Higgins Armory Museum and the Worcester County Horticultural Society. He was a member and vestryman of All Saints Church and a member of the Yellow Label Club, the Worcester Club, the Worcester Players Club, the Worcester Fire Society, the Bohemians, and the Worcester Shakespeare Club. In addition, he wrote innumerable letters to the editor, many of them concerning downtown Worcester and the preservation of Worcester architecture and neighborhoods. One of six original inductees into Preservation Worcester's Hall of Fame, Mr. Herron said he "moved to Worcester in 1951 as a modern architect aiming to transform the city with aluminum and glass until he saw Mechanics Hall" -- at which point he became a committed preservationist.

Although fully embracing Worcester, his Ohio roots remained strong throughout his adult life, returning regularly to Chillicothe where he succeeded his siblings as managing partner of the family farms, portions of which had been acquired in the 1830's.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 6 at All Saints Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester. Contributions may be made to Preservation Worcester to support the Frannie Herron Park in Crown Hill (10 Cedar Street, Worcester 01609) or to the All Saints Church for the benefit of the choirs (10 Irving St., Worcester, 01609).