John Francis St. Jacques

PAWTUCKET - John Francis St. Jacques, 58, of Pawtucket, passed away on Sunday, September 12 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. Born on January 25, 1963, he was the son of the late Richard J. and Arlene F. St. Jacques of Pawtucket.

John attended Sacred Heart and St. Leo's schools in Pawtucket before his family relocated briefly to Iran. In Iran, John attended Tehran American School before returning to Pawtucket. He was a 1981 graduate of St. Raphael's Academy. Always active and interested in sports, John played basketball, baseball and football in Pawtucket CYO, Pineview Little League, and in Iran. He played baseball and basketball for St Raphael Academy.

After graduating high school, John attended Salve Regina University and then joined NYNEX (later Bell Atlantic and Verizon), where he worked as a technician and lineman for more than 30 years before retiring in 2014. John was often called for the most complex jobs due to his extensive experience in telecommunication installation, troubleshooting and repair. At retirement he was conferred a lifetime voice, data and communications license and had achieved a rating for his comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the job, an achievement attained by only 10% of Verizon technicians at the time.

During his career, John also completed multiple summer canvases to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and voluntarily assisted Verizon with Hurricane Katrina response activities in Hattiesburg, MS and New Orleans.

Always outgoing and social, John was unfailingly loyal to his family and friends, and always quick to lend a helping hand, an attentive ear, and his quick sense of humor. He touched the lives of so many people with his generous spirit that extended beyond his immediate family to his network of friends and anyone in need. John loved meeting new people, and once he met them, was a friend for life.

John leaves his brother, Richard St. Jacques and his wife Caroline, of Attleboro, MA; his sister Michelle Rayhorn, of Pawtucket; his aunt Gert Connolly, of Pawtucket; his cousin, goddaughter and close friend Katelyn Petteruti of Newport; and his longtime companion Nancy Thurley, of North Kingstown. He was the brother of the late James St. Jacques. John cherished his niece, nephews, godchildren, cousins and many longtime friends.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for John on Saturday, September 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church of St. John Paul II Parish. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Costigan-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage St., Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at www.jimmyfund.org . www.oneillfuneralhomes.com