John L. Poor

John L. Poor Royalston - John Lufkin Poor, 88, died peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, November 10, 2012.  Born in Danvers, Massachusetts March 18, 1924, one of two children born to Arthur K. Poor and Eva Mary, aka Eva May Abbie Sweetland, Poor, businessman and entrepreneur. Educated in the Danvers’ Public school system he went on to attend Tufts University whereupon he enlisted in the U.S.Navy’s V-l program and later the NROTC in 1945. During this time he received his BA degree, was granted an Officer’s Commission, and met and married LT. Mary “PAT” Crumley, USN in 1947 (who outranked him at the time). He retired after a distinguished career in June of 1972 to his Royalston, Massachusetts home for the balance of his life. His fondest memories while at sea included time served in the Mediterranean with the Sixth fleet during the cold war and particularly time spent in Italy. Sea duty included escort service during the Korean conflict. Returning to the States he was assigned to the night fighter squadron at NAS Moffet Field and then on to Navy Post Graduate studies in Monterey, California. His three children were born at this time. Additional postings found him and his family in Guam, Norfolk, Cherry Point, Turkey, and Alexandria, VA . Upon his request to be close to his ailing Mother he was placed in Charge of the Navy Research Facility in Natick, Massachusetts for his final posting of his Naval career. His passion and interests included the restoration of their newly purchased 1841 Greek Revival Farm house in the Commons of Royalston, Antiquing, including a serious collection of New England Stoneware. He was an avid birdwatcher, early jazz buff, and loved his animals and nature in general. Civic duty included service on the Town Advisory Board and the Historic District Commission. In addition, he served the Board of Directors of the Athol Memorial Hospital where he sat on the Finance and the Endowment and Trust Committees. He is predeceased by his first wife of 57 years, Mary PATRICIA Crumley Poor, his sister Margaret, and leaves his second wife, Mildred Bertrand Clement, his eldest child Stephanie and husband John, also of Royalston, his twin boys, Mark and Terrence, wives Annie and Birdie of Nantucket and Ventura, California, respectively, along with his only granddaughter, Sarah Poor, five step-children and numerous step-grand and great grandchildren. Upon his request, no formal funeral services are planned. Burial will be at the Lawrence Brook Cemetery, Royalston, Massachusetts. Those wishing to make a donation in John’s memory are asked to do so in the name of the Phineas S. Newton Library, Box 133 Royalston, MA 01368.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol is handling the arrangements.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });