Fire Chief Peter D. John

His Angels Built It.....So He Went
On October 15,2025 Fire Chief Peter John journeyed to the Ultimate Field of Dreams, built exclusively for him by his Family of Angels. This field isn't in Iowa, it's in Heaven. His angels knew Petes "Never Give Up...Never Give In" mantra, especially regarding his health might deter him from making the journey that his soul was ready for but his body wouldn't allow. His angels also built an epic, literal "Sky Box" that every angel in Heaven could enjoy. Pete always enjoyed great box seats at Fenway Park, he even sat in The Red Seat once but only because that fan had left.
On that sunny afternoon The Ultimate Field of Dreams held it's Opening Day Home Game where all of the players were Pete's family members who journeyed to Heaven before him, many of them children. The only thing Pete loved more than the game of baseball was his family and his family of angels honored Pete by wearing a MLB jersey that was their favorite team.
Proudly wearing his Boston Red Sox uniform, as starting catcher, was Peter John. As he adjusted his chest protector he heard a very familiar voice. "Hey Dad, Wanna have a catch?" It had been 9,978 days since Pete heard that voice. Standing on the pitcher's mound, dressed head to toe in his #8 Baltimore Oriole's uniform, with 2,131 angels flying all around him stood Graiger Peter John, Pete's 19 year old son. Graiger was killed on Father's Day June 21,1998 so this father and son reunion was 27 years, 3 months and 24 days overdue. Graiger idolized his dad and he never got the chance to say good-bye. The MLB player that Graiger idolized the most was Cal Ripken Jr. Mr. Ripken has been quoted as saying "You could be a kid for as long as you want when you play baseball." Truer words have never been spoken as Graiger will for eternity be 19 and will always play baseball, only now he gets to have a catch with his dad anytime he wants.
Starting at 3rd base, also representing The Baltimore Orioles with his #5 uniform is Larry Mayo, Pete's brother-in-law. The influence that Larry (and Glenn Mayo) had on Graiger is why Graiger became an Oriole fan.(Larry even named his son Brooks) Another example on the love that Pete had for his family over his love of baseball was when Pete was going to take Graiger to watch Cal Ripken Jr. break Lou Gehrig's MLB record of consecutive games played. Knowing how much witnessing this iconic moment would mean to Larry, Pete handed his ticket over to Larry, so he could share in that experience with Graiger. Class act Pete, that moment made me love you even more!
Wearing his Kansas City Royal's uniform starting at first base is Randy Copping, Pete's brother-in-law who also happened to be his best friend. The dynamic duo were a force to be reckoned with on earth so only 3 words come to. my mind..."God Bless Heaven!"
Over at shortstop in his Atlanta Braves uniform is "Graiger's Daddy", Bennett Owen, not to be confused with "Graiger's Dad, Peter John. Bennett was one of Graiger's best friends growing up and Pete always considered him his "other son." Bennett was devastated after Graiger was killed and to honor The John family Bennett named his first born son Graiger. Our hearts were once again shattered when we received news of Bennett's passing on our 45th wedding anniversary, he was only 43 years old. Bennett and Graiger, together again
Dressed in The Williamstown Blue Devil's softball jersey, to honor his daughters Ashley and Emily, is Curt Noelk, Pete's nephew. Curt was the ultimate girl dad with a heart of gold.
Starting in center field, with his New York Yankee hat and jacket that he rarely took off is the man who Pete respected and loved the most in his life, his dad, Isaac "Ike" John. Ike's love for his children and grandchildren was so deeply instilled in their hearts it will carry on for generations to come.
Over in left field, with her Baltimore Oriole uniform on is Pete's sister-in-law Melissa Foster-Jacobsen, aka Missy. Pete adored Missy and her quirky ways. Missy loved her family fiercely every moment of her life. She will excel in left field, sitting on the grass, waving at all of the angels flying by, basically not paying attention to the game at all. Go "Bee-Cee" I love you!
Starting in right field, wearing a New York Yankee hat, a Baltimore Oriole jersey and a Red Sox jacket is Baby Bear, Pete's grandbaby. Pete and his family never got to meet Baby Bear, Jesus needed him before he was even born.
Bat Boy for the team is David Peter John, Pete's older brother that he never got to meet. David journeyed to heaven when he was only 2 years old. When Pete was born his mom and dad honored David Peter by naming Pete, Peter David.
Joining their "Mimi-Missy" in left field, are Missy's granddaughters and Pete's nieces, Christa Foster and Mikayla Foster. God bless the little children.
Pitching coaches are Pete's father-in-law, Malcolm Mayo and Pete's brother-in-law Ronald Bergeron. Pete loved and respected both these men dearly.
Batting coach is Pete's niece Kimberly Stoltz-Foster and Kim's children, Pete's niece and nephew Tory Stoltz and Brett Stoltz. God bless the little children once again.
Scorekeeper for the team is Pete's sister Nancy Bergeron. She helped to raise Pete and always thought of him as her own son. Pete adored Nancy and loved her dearly.
7th inning stretch, good times never seemed so good, so good, so good, so good. Making their way onto the field are the Head Coaches, Pete's "Ma", Enes John and Pete's mother-in-law, Mona Mayo, aka "Mimi". These 2 matriarchs of the family respectfully offer their wisdom and knowledge of the game of baseball, along with their everlasting love for every angel in heaven and on earth.
Ma...Who's going to pitch now?
Mimi..Randy can't pitch, he's on first.
Ma....What?
Mimi..So you want Curt to pitch?
Ma..Who are you talking about?
Mimi..Randy's on first, do we switch him today?
Ma..Well Pete won't like Randy taking his place.
Mimi..I don't know what you're talking about?
Ma..So switch Larry and Curt?
And in the loudest, clearest voice in heaven, straight from centerfield, Pete's dad Ike John placed his Yankee hat over his heart and yelled "With all due respect Abbott and Costello....THIS IS BASEBALL!!!
Pete's Angels on Earth
Our son Graig Peter John aka Graiger has been reunited with his dad in heaven, he was our first born and only son. Everything that Graiger did, he did with all of his heart, a gift he got from his dad. Graiger was everybody's friend, he respected the adults in his life and he loved hard and played even harder. The memories Pete often spoke about Graiger involved sports. When Graiger played little league, Pete was one of his coaches. The team was having a swim party/cook-out at Graiger's Aunt Missy's house. The coaches decided to drive to the party and all of the players were going to jog behind Coach Pete's truck, with the other coaches following behind the players. Bennett Owen was on crutches with an injury so he was riding in the bed of the pick-up. Out of nowhere, Bennett yelled that Graiger was gone, he had disappeared. None of the coaches saw where he went so Pete turned his truck around and within moments he found Graiger. Standing on the sidewalk, his hat over his heart, Graiger was watching a funeral procession go by with many cars with their headlights on. Graiger stood there out of respect for someone he never even knew. Pete would always say that was one of the proudest moments in his life. Graiger was all of 12 years old.
The other memory Pete would often recall was when Graiger tried out for the soccer team at Spaulding High School. Graiger was very fast but he also played aggressively. The coach told Graiger if he wanted to "play like that" he should run over to the football field and try out for that team, so he did! Graiger was by far one of the smallest players on the team but he played with all of his heart. He broke many scoring records for Spaulding and after Graiger was killed, Spaulding High School honored him by retiring his #98 Jersey. Pete said at the ceremony he wondered if the soccer coach was there.
Our daughter Jamie Melissa John was the ultimate daddy's girl. She would follow him anywhere and everywhere he went. As a little girl Jamie played soccer for all of one season. She would skip up and down the field, hugging her teammates and even the opposing players. She always kept an eye on her dad while she was playing, blowing kisses and waving to him as the soccer ball rolled by her. After one game, she ran over to her dad and said "Daddy, Coach Kerin likes me the best because I get to rest more than anyone." Out of the mouth's of babes! In 1997, Jamie had the chance to go to Pensacola Florida to watch her Uncle Glenn Mayo graduate from The Naval Academy. Most 16 year old girls would hop at the chance to swim in the warm ocean and see all of the "graduates" at The Academy, but Jamie wasn't going to leave her dad alone. She wanted to make sure someone would be home with her dad, since her mom and brother were making the trip, so she stayed, with her dad. There's no greater love than that.
Our grandson Ryan Troy John aka DD is the epitome of Angel on Earth! 263 days after Graiger was killed we were blessed with Ryan. Divine intervention? Pete thought so! The light in Pete's eyes, his smile and the bounce in his step returned. Pete's little buddy, his best friend, his hunting partner, his fishing buddy, his shadow, did everything with Pete. Ryan would put his own turn out gear on to visit his Pete at the fire department, because if Pete was a firefighter, Ryan wanted to be a firefighter. When Pete would go to deer camp, Ryan would go to deer camp. Pete worshipped Ryan and Ryan worshipped Pete. Today Ryan works at The Barre Town Fire Dept., Pete worked at The Barre City Fire Dept, coincidence? I think not!
Corey Adam John aka Cor-dog. Our grandson who would do anything and everything for Pete. Right or wrong, it didn't matter to Cor-dog, if it was something Pete wanted, he did it. I should remain silent because anything I say can and will be used against me in a court of law! All kidding aside, Pete loved that young man with all of his heart. Pete spent time coaching him and Ryan in baseball and football. Cor-dog had a knack for making 3 pointers in basketball games, when he was in the 4th grade! He would do anything to impress his Pete but he didn't need to, Pete was impressed every day.
Our granddaughter Adelyn Sophia John aka Toodles.
"Where it began, I can't begin to know when,
But then I know it's growin' strong,
Was in the Spring, and Spring became the Summer,
Who'd have believe you'd come along?"
Sweet Adelyn changed Papa's life. He had 2 amazing grandsons but this was a whole other ball game! Papa would never be so much in love with a girl, and Jamie and I knew that, but it was all good, because the love for that "Toodles" was endless. Everyone adored Addy, especially Papa. He even let us hold her once in a great while. Toodles was Papa's shadow and Papa was Toodles shadow. They shared a love of Home Depot, you would never catch Papa in a Home Depot unless Toodles was riding in the Tony Stewart cart being pushed by Papa. Toodles and her Papa shared a bond so deep that it's hard to explain. When Papa was about to make his journey to the Ultimate Field of Dreams, Toodles held his hand for 5 days straight. At 16 years old, I was so proud of Addy, and the memory of Jamie staying with her dad at 16 years old instead of going to Florida hit me. Pete, aka Dad aka Papa had this affect on the women in his life, and here was his favorite girl ever, Toodles, holding his hand and crying as he made his journey.
Colin Graiger William John aka KY
Papa said the miracle of 2004 when The Boston Red Sox won the World Series paled in comparison to the miracle of 2012 when Colin Graiger made his appearance at 2 pounds, 12 inches. At one point Ky dropped down to 1 pound 10 ounces but he had a secret weapon. He had the strength and heart that every John man had before him and that itty-bitty Ky fought hard and today he is a strapping young man, healthy, tall, good-looking, Papa's power hitter. You would never know how tiny he was unless you saw him yourself. Papa had the distinction of being the first family member to actually hold Ky in his hand, his entire body from his head to his toes fit into Papa's hand from his fingertip to his wrist. Miracles do happen, on and off the field, and Colin..aka Ky...aka C.J is proof of that. Papa loved his Ky, often getting him confused with DD or Cor-dog when his voice changed, but he loved him with a passion.
Zach LaPerle and his son John
There are people in your life who aren't "family" yet they couldn't be more a part of your "family" even if they tried. Jamie introduced Zach to us last year and Pete was thrilled to welcome Zach into our lives. John was a bonus, a polite,kind,well mannered young man who we absolutely adore. Zach's love for our daughter and the way he was here at a moment's notice to help with Pete will never be forgotten. Thank-you Zach, for everything you did to help Pete and for loving us the way we love you, and thanks John, you always put a smile on my face. We love you both.
Barre City Fire Department
Chief Peter John worked for over 30 years at the Barre City Fire Dept. Brotherhood meant everything to Pete. Every single firefighter Pete ever worked with or even met he respected and was loyal to. Firefighters never bring their work home with them. The tragedies that happen on the job are best not shared with family members. There are 2 unfathomable tragedies that directly affected Chief John that happened while he was on the job.
On June 21,1998, Father's Day, Pete was working a 24 hour shift. He was sitting in the office filling out paperwork with Jimmy Black when over the radio, dispatch asked Jimmy if Peter John was on duty. Jimmy looked at Pete and Pete was listening as Jimmy answered "Affirmative". The dispatcher then announced over the radio that they were sending a squad car over to deliver a "Death Notification!" That is how Pete learned that his 19 year old son Graiger was killed.
On December 17, 2005 Pete was Fire Chief at the time. An early morning call came in for an apartment fire with "people trapped". Those "people trapped" happened to be Chief John's family. The outcome was unfathomable! 4 young children died and the mom of 2 of those children also died. The dad of 2 children who died was rescued from a 2nd story window. God Bless Christa Foster, Mikayla Foster, Tory Stoltz, Brett Stoltz and Kimberly Stoltz-Foster. Chief Peter John's nieces and nephew.
My husband, Chief Peter John, did not resign, he did not quit his career at The Barre City Fire Department. Pete was "ejected" from the game, through no fault of his own, because someone desired only 1 Chief to run the Public Safety Dept. and his ejection left only 1 Chief remaining. The Times Argus ran several articles pertaining to this, it's public knowledge.
Did you ever hear the story of The Los Angeles Dodger's Andrew Toles? It's about loyalty over business because in some situations, winning off of the field means more than winning on it. It's a "must read", especially for a certain high ranking Barre City official, just sayin'!
Pete's family and friends were his life. His brother Billy John and wife Linda were able to see Pete, his sister Judie John-Copping and niece Jennifer LaPan visited often. Pete's sister-in-law Shannon Haught and niece Dawn Loughry visited from Baltimore, Maryland. Pete's brother-in-law Glenn Mayo came by often (thanks for everything Glenn, Pete loved you and appreciated everything you did for us), Sheri Mayo stopped in to see Pete as well. Pete's nieces Liz Foster and Ann Noelk came to see Pete, Pete's nephew Todd Allen stopped by. Jeff Bergeron, Pete's cousin, spent hours with Pete. George Burns stopped in on Pete's birthday and sang to him, Russ Ashe who used to work with Pete at the fire dept. spent hours with him. Anderson Brown from The Barre City Fire Department stopped in several times to see Pete, thanks Andy Brown, we love you. One person who meant a lot to Pete was his best friend, Peter O'Grady. They were best friends for many years and O'Grady was here often talking to Pete.( Thanks for stopping in after Pete made his journey O'Grady, it meant a lot to all of us when you brought Dunkin' Donuts and hot coffee and shared stories about Pete with Jamie, Corey, Ryan and myself) It almost makes me feel bad for calling you and Pete "Dumb and Dumber, almost but not quite! Brook Blackshaw from The Barre City Fire Department, thanks for the delicious hot meal you made us, we appreciated it.
Mr. Rogers would be proud of the neighbors we have surrounding us and watching out for each other. We're literally blessed to have Gene Ziske and his wife Carolyn as our neighbors.(Thanks for everything Gene, you're a gift from God) Pete was able to watch The Ziske kids, Emily and Jeffrey grow up into fine young adults. Brandon and Abbey Poulin and their adorable little girl Rachel live right next door. Rachel makes everything better when she smiles that smile of her's. Liza, across the street, is a tad bit crazy which is why we get along so well. I.J and his wife are always so warm and welcoming.
Lori, Pete's hospice nurse became part of our family. Thanks for everything Lori, we love you.
Dartmouth Cancer Center, from the receptionists to all of the nurses and to the best of the best, Dr. Keisuke Shirai, thanks for all you did for Pete, we love you.
Dr. Peter Ireland and his front desk staff and nurses, thanks for taking such good care of Pete. We appreciate you and love you all.