John Hallal

ANDOVER, MA - John Hallal, 77, died of brain cancer on April 1, 2015, at his home in Andover, Massachusetts.
John was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where his parents, the late James and Mary (Hamod) Hallal, had emigrated from Damascus, Syria. After graduating from Tolman High School (Pawtucket) and the University of Rhode Island, he started his professional engineering career at Grumman Aerospace on Long Island, NY.
John's career spans from the moon to the depths of the ocean. As a field representative for Grumman at RCA, Burlington, Massachusetts, he was a member of the Lunar Excursion Module project and oversaw the development of electronic products that ultimately traveled to the moon. Recognized for his talent and people skills, John was at the forefront of RCA's technology and production solutions overseeing the development and fielding of electronic warfare systems, classified optical systems and automated test equipment systems that were deployed to the US and foreign governments. In 1985, John was chosen to attend MIT's Sloan School, earning a MA in Management of Technology. As RCA was acquired by General Electric and then by Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), John oversaw several business transitions and facilities consolidations ultimately landing him and his family in Central Florida after living more than 30 years in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
As a Lockheed Martin Corporate Officer and the President of the Lockheed Martin Information Systems Center, John oversaw 4,500 employees and helped to grow his business to over one billion dollars annually. John led the development of many innovative solutions currently in production and in use around the globe. These include training and simulation solutions, automated test equipment, command and control systems, optical systems, avionics, criminal justice systems, and naval and submarine systems that on a daily basis keep America safe and strong.
Above all, John was the rare man who cared for his family above all else. John delighted in and lovingly connected with his seven grandchildren: Joseph, Jeremy and Luke Hallal; Cole and Audrey Brightbill; and Drew and Nadia Wachtel, and they returned his enthusiastic affection. He related to his grandchildren in his fun-loving way, telling Dick Tracy and Lone Ranger stories in character voices or by doing yo-yo tricks.
John leaves his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Lorna Fontes Hallal, and four deeply devoted children: John Hallal, Esq. and his wife Dr. Jennifer Boisture of Andover; Nancy Hallal Wachtel and husband Derek, also of Andover; Lauren Hallal and husband Jerry Brightbill of Newton and Stacey Hallal of Portland, Oregon. He leaves three cherished brothers and their wives: Albert and Victoria Hallal of Cumberland, Rhode Island, Ronald and Janice Hallal of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and James Hallal of Pawtucket. He also leaves sisters-in-law and brothers-in law: Glenice and Ray Sousa; Gil Fontes and Laura Turgeon; Alan and Susan Fontes and Audrey and Jack Berry.
He will be missed by his tennis partners, golf group and especially his tolerant golf partner, brother-in-law, Alan Fontes.
Friends and loved ones are invited to call on Saturday, April 4, from 9:00 - 11:00AM at The Chapel at West Parish Cemetery, 210 Lowell St., Andover, MA. A funeral liturgy is scheduled to follow calling hours at 11:00am in the Chapel.
Floral arrangements are under the care of Winston Flowers. To order, please call special services directly at 617-541-1108.
Memorial contributions may be made, in memory of John Hallal, to the Adult Brain Tumor Research Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, c/o Eudocia Lee, MD, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com or facebook.com/DewhirstFuneralHome