John L. Phair

PHAIR -- John L. Phair, 81, who had resided in Pittsfield, Framingham and the Holyoke area, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at Mercy Medical Center. Born in Lynn on Nov. 6, 1926, he was the son of William L. and Elizabeth Cahill Phair. John graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1944 and served his country during World War II in the Navy. He was a master electrician and an electrical contractor with the family business, Phair Electric. John was a past commander of American Legion Post 68, a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, and a former member of the Planning Board in Pittsfield. He was predeceased by the former Mary Ellen Bryan, his wife of 53 years, in 2003. He leaves his children, Mary Beth Phair and her husband, Steve L. McCafferty, of Belchertown, John M. Phair and his wife, Donna, of Pittsfield, Anne L. Phair and her husband, John J. Platt, of Ashland, Patrick B. Phair and his partner, Joseph Paquette, of Waltham, and Timothy S. Phair and his wife, Jayne, of Granville. He also leaves his siblings, Kevin Phair of Pittsfield, Jane Rivas of Palm City, Fla., Michael Phair of Pittsfield, Margaret Johnson of Stuart, Fla., Thomas Phair of Pittsfield; his grandchildren, Michael and Meaghan Phair, Molly McCafferty, and Liam and Kathryn Phair; and two great-grandchildren, Connor and Emma Phair. Besides his wife, John was predeceased by his siblings Helen Dean, Mary Keir and Joan Hickingbothom. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at BEERS & STORY BELCHERTOWN FUNERAL HOME, 10 Maple St. (Route 202), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Francis' Church. Burial will be privately held at the National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund. For more information and to sign a memorial guest book, visit www.beersandstory.com.