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John McKechnie Obituary
He was born February 26, 1930, in Sugar Notch, Pa. and was the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Finley) McKechnie.
Mr. McKechnie proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Jeanne Lois Foulks, on October 25, 1958, in Parsippany, N.J. Mr. and Mrs McKechnie relocated to Mystic in 1962.
He was employed by Electric Boat Division in Groton, and retired after 30 years as an electrical engineer and supervisor. He attended the Community Baptist Church in Groton. Jack was a well liked, kind, and friendly man, known for his wonderful sense of humor, his unwavering devotion to his wife and family, and his love of playing golf. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants, the New York Yankees, and the UCONN men's and women's basketball teams.
He is perhaps best known for his lifelong involvment in Freemasonry. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, in Morristown, N.J., in 1956. After moving to Conn., he joined Charity and Relief Lodge, now Coastal Lodge, Stonington, where he was a life member. He is a Past Master of Coastal Lodge, having served as Worshipful Master in 1968 and again in 1983. His other distinguished offices include Past District Deputy in 1971 and again in 1972, and Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, 1989 to 1990. He was also a member of Fidelity Chapter #54, Order of Eastern Star, Niantic, where he was a member since 1964. He served as Worthy Patron seven times, the first of which was 1972 to 1973.
Jack will be sadly missed by his wife, Jeanne of Groton; a sister Hilma Turner and her husband Willard of Weatherly, Pa.; three daughters, Jacquelynn Lawrence of Lake Wales, Fla., Karen Wescott and her husband Steve of Mystic, Beth Sweeney and her husband James of Oakdale; five grandchildren, Jonathan Lawrence of New London, Raymond and Colin Wescott, of Mystic, Shane and Erin Sweeney of Oakdale, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His family will greet relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic. Masonic and Eastern Star memorial services will both be held during those hours. A Funeral service will be conducted at 1030 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
Burial with military honors will be at Elm Grove Cemetery.
For information, directions, or to share a note of remembrance or condoelnce with his family, please visit www.dinotofuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John McKechnie
Lars Johnson
June 19, 2008
To the McKechnie family:
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. McKechnie's passing. You are all in our thoughts and our prayers.
Pattie and Tyler Skeens
June 18, 2008
Karen and family -
You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Jack Denham
June 18, 2008
So sorry to learn of Jack's passing, my condolences to all of his family. I have many pleasant memories both from working with Jack and playing golf with him, he truly loved that game. He will be missed.
Michael Gualandi
June 17, 2008
The McKechnie Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear about your loss, I can honestly say that Jack was one of the greatest people I have ever known. I had the great joy of playing golf with Jack and my grandfather on many occassions and I will always remember those days. He had a heart of gold and always knew how to have fun. I will cherish the memories that I had the luxury of experiencing with him and I know that he will always remain in my thoughts. My hope for your family is that you will find comfort in those memories too.
Michael, Nicole, Kiernan, & Marin Gualandi
Michael Galligan
June 17, 2008
My condolences at this time of your great loss.
The Camerino Family Tammy, Steven,& Adam
June 17, 2008
Jeanne,Jackie,Karen,Beth & Families~
It is with a heavy heart I sign this book. Your husband & father has been such a important factor in our lives growing up. He was my grandfathers best friend along with my fathers, he was my officer in star and someone that could always put a smile on your face. I'm glad I got to spend the day with him in Florida this winter! Enjoy your memories as I will mine! Never will S.S.S be forgotten.
Dick Harbach
June 17, 2008
My sympathys to the McKechine family. It was an honor to work with and know Jack.
John & Karen Birdsall
June 17, 2008
It was with deepest regrets that I learned of the passing of my friend and brother Jack. my condolences to all the family during this time of loss, but know that he is home with our Lord and Saviour.
Arthur E Richards MSgt USAF ret.
June 17, 2008
Jack took a lot of good natured ribbing about his Height! But no one ever stood "Taller" among Men & Masons He left a Legacy in Honesty- Caring and Thoughtfulness. WE shall think of him for a LONG time. It has been a great friendship of 36 years.
Jean Anna Pudlo PGWA & PGM
June 17, 2008
Dear Jeanne and family,
I have many fond memories of Brother Jack, especially when we shared our "Grand" years together, with him as Grand High Priest and myself as Grand Worthy Advisor. He was always pleasant, friendly and approachable whenever our paths crossed. He will be missed. My prayers go out to all of you.
With Star Love,
Gary Littlefield
June 17, 2008
To the McKechnie family:
My prayers and thoughts are with you all in the loss of a good man, a good Mason and a good servant, John G McKechnie. John was a quiet man, serving his family, serving his community, serving his country and Freemasonry. As Grand High Priest he worked for the capitular rite of Freemasonry but most of all he worked for the fraternity to make our world better. God Bless you Jack, I shall miss you. To the family, tears shed are for you. He has now entered that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Roy Smith
June 17, 2008
My dear Jeanne and girls,
My day is saddened in reading of Jack's homegoing, and you are all in my prayers. I first met him in 1971 and we became friends immediately. He will indeed be missed by many, but we all know that he is now at peace and there are no longer any physical ailments to deal with. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.
Patty & Mike Gualandi
June 17, 2008
To Jeanne, Jackie, Karen, Beth and Families, It is with a heavy heart that I sign this guest book for you and your families. We have known your families and your father for a long time. He was a wonderful person and so loved his family, wife, children and grandchildren they were the light of his life.My whole family also loved him. I like to think that him and Dad are up there right now enjoying a little round of golf together. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you. Keep in touch. Love, Patty & Mike
Rev Paul Hayes
June 17, 2008
Dear Jeanne and family,
On behalf of Noank Baptist Church, we extend to you our deepest sympathy in Jack's passing, but take joy in the Lord for his homecoming! We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers as you trust in God to see you through this time. May you sense the comfort and grace of Christ as you celebrate Jack's life in the days to come.
Blessings,
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