John Ernest Tarasevich

1949 - 2024

John E. Tarasevich

Captain John Ernest Tarasevich passed away peacefully at home on North Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Friday, July 26, 2024. He and his wife, Dr. Christine Duerr, until recently also resided during the summers in their West Kingston, Rhode Island, family home on 30 Acre

Pond.

John was born the eldest of three children on April 27,1949, in Westerly, RI. Growing up in Westerly, John enjoyed summers in Misquamicut at the family beach house and became a Boy Scout, where he was the first in Troop 16 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and was voted into the Order of the Arrow, also attending Yawgoo Scout Reservation where his Eagle Ranked sons would later go. He was a graduate of Westerly High School where he played soccer. John attended the University of Rhode Island where he was active during the tumultuous political times in the Student Senate, the Student Mobilization Committee, and participated in many of large anti-war protests, including Washington, D.C. Despite attending the Woodstock music festival, John graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1971. Instead of pursuing a career in business. John chose a different path and began working as a commercial fisherman in Pt. Judith, RI. Over his 21 colorful years on the water John made many lifelong friends, starting as a deckhand and eventually buying and captaining his own vessels ( F/V

Mary Cay, F/V St. Jude). His voice was recognizable to captains of fishing vessels up and down the East Coast. He also served for 8 years as secretary and treasurer for the Pt. Judith Fishermen's Cooperative, at the time a leading economic and political force in the Northeast fisheries. During this time, he met his wife of 47 years, Christine, and they were married in Corpus Christi, TX, on June 3, 1978. A strong desire to spend time with his family on their historic Kingston Hill Farm led to a career change and in 1992 John and Christine purchased Clipper Seafood

which they ran for many years with the help of their four children and where many of their retail and wholesale customers looked forward to their lively conversations with John. He was active in his children's life volunteering in Scouting, 4-H, schools, and sports. John was a member of the Polled Hereford Association and the Richmond Grange helping with the 4-H and Washington County Fairs and his children's cow showing activities throughout New England. Throughout their time on the farm, it was always open to visits by school children and others. He was involved in the Wakefield Rotary for 20 years including serving 2017-2018 as President and achieving a Paul Harris Fellow. John and Christine eventually relocated to Padre Island, Corpus Christi, TX where he was able to participate in his favorite hobbies of being a Yankee Peddler at many antique shows, birding, bodysurfing, regaling his grandchildren his with his many stories and providing his thoughtful political commentary to anyone on Facebook and within earshot. John was a member of St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus on Padre Island and Kateri Tekakwitha (Exeter, RI). Formerly he had attended Christ the King (Kingston, RI) where he served on the Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Padre Island Yacht Club, Padre Island Democrats and the Padre Island Rotary Club. He enjoyed playing poker and spending time with his many friends and antiquing associates in this area. John loved traveling the world with his wife and during an African Safari was even lucky enough to witness the Big Five and the great migration. John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Madeline Tarasevich and his brother David Tarasevich. He is survived by his loving wife, Christine Duerr Tarasevich, his sister Paula (Thomas) Shawyer, and his children John and (Holly) Tarasevich, Joanna Benavidez, Liz and (Dave) Teicher and Peter and (Mariel) Tarasevich. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Stella, Isla, Nolan, Conor, Sterling and Milo.

Rhode Island services will be held on Friday, October 11th with a 5:30 wake, a 6:30 mass and reception to follow at Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Exeter.

Rather than flowers, please send donations to the Point Judith Fishermen's Scholarship Fund, Box 386, Narragansett, RI 02882, or Shriners Children's Hospitals.