John "Jack" Fiske Jr.

CANAAN - John "Jack" F. Fiske Jr., 83, died July 20, 2011, in the comfort of his home.

He was born Dec. 12, 1927, in Watertown, Mass., to John F. and Mary A. (McNulty) Fiske Sr.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 16; he was stationed in Pensacola, Fla., where he served with the air search and rescue.

Following his honorable discharge he returned to Canaan where he completed his education and graduated from Canaan High School.

He married Leona I. Taylor Oct. 25, 1947. He formed a band named White Mountain Ramblers. He worked at the Baltic Woolen Mill in Enfield for a short time. He worked alongside his father in the reconstruction of St. Mary Church; he took great pride in this accomplishment. He later worked for the B & M Railroad as a conductor, retiring in 1990 after 38 years of service. Both he and Leona enjoyed wintering in Port Orange, Fla., for 20 years.

He was a member of the Canaan American Legion, National Rifle Association, Cardigan Mountain Fish and Game Club, a local representative of the United Transportation Union and a member of the Order of Cincinnatus. He was passionate about hunting, fishing, playing golf and enjoyed country music. He was a patriotic man who dearly loved his family and friends.

Family members include his wife, Leona Fiske of Canaan; four children, Mary Shrum and husband George of Louisiana, Mo.; Kathleen Dugger and husband Randall McMinnville, Oregon; John Fiske III and Suzan Delaney of Canaan; and Barbara Calvert and husband Robert of Newbury; two sisters, Mary Taylor and husband Harry of Sacramento, Calif., and Elizabeth Jackson of Anchorage, Alaska; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Patterson and a stepbrother, Clarence Fiske.

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SERVICES: Family and friends are invited to calling hours Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Canaan. Burial will follow in Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan.

Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, Vt. 05001-0976 or St. Mary Catholic Church, 36 Shaker Hill Road, Enfield, 03748. For more information, go to rickerfuneralhome.com.