John C. Esty Jr.

1928 - 2015

Mr. Esty was born on August 9, 1928, in White Plains, New York to John Cushing Esty and Virginia Place Esty. He was educated in the Chappaqua, NY public schools, then at Deerfield Academy, before earning degrees at Amherst College and Yale. At Amherst, Mr. Esty was a member of the soccer team and the Double Quartet singing group. He served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-53. In 1970, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Amherst College for pioneering work in education. A resident of Concord since 1972, he was a dedicated town citizen, having served over the years as a school committee member, board chair for the Greeley Foundation for Peace and Justice, enthusiastic tenor in the Concord Chorus, avid participant in a retired mens ping pong club, corporator of Emerson Hospital, devoted congregant at the First Parish Unitarian church, and longtime member of the Concord Social Circle. Known for his antic wit and curious mind, Mr. Esty studied mathematics and astronomy, built radios, made home-pressed cider for family and friends, and always shopped at independent stores in Concord to support local entrepreneurs. He enjoyed singing, reading, gardening, and traveling with his wife and family. Mr. Esty was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend with an unusual gift for music, magic, and merriment. He had a special capacity to connect with people from all walks of life, especially children. My father was one of those miraculous, multi-talented people whose skills appear to come as if from nowhere: he could pick up musical instruments and new languages with ease; he could fix engines and charm dogs; he was as happy on the floor doing card tricks for his grandchildren as he was testifying before Congress on educational policy, notes his son Jed Esty. Mr. Esty is survived by his wife of 60 years, Katharine Esty, his four sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Elizabeth Esty of Cheshire, CT, Paul and Vanda Esty of Carteret, NJ, Ben Esty and Raquel Leder of Lexington, MA, and Jed Esty and Andrea Goulet of Swarthmore, PA, as well as by his brothers, David and Peter, and ten grandchildren: Sarah, Thomas, Jonathan, Marc, Julie, Victor, Aliya, Asher, Jonah, and Maya. Mr. Estys life will be celebrated and remembered in a memorial service at the First Parish Church on November 14th at 2:00 pm. The family requests that donations be directed to the College Advisory Fund at Fenway High School (www.fenwayhs.org/donate). Concords town flag will fly at half-staff on Saturday, Nov. 14th in honor of Mr. Estys service to his country in the United States Air Force. Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, Concord Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.concordfuneralhome.com