John W. Powers

John William Powers was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1926. During the late Great Depression, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and was awarded the Amercian Area Campaign ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area ribbon and the Philippine Liberation ribbon. During this period, John became involved with boxing and at one time, had trained with Rocky Marciano. He could be seen on most weekends watching boxing. On April 4, 1963, he married Ernestine Schleider, the love of his life, and they remained married for 45 years until her death in 2008. John had worked in many vocations throughout his life, but found his true calling as a car salesman where he excelled. He won many Best in Sales awards at River Oaks Chrysler Plymouth and was at one time, the top salesman for the SW United States for Chrysler. He was a Christian man of the Catholic faith and was last a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Bear Creek.

John is survived by son, Jack O'Neill and wife, Linda; daughter, Janice Bergeron; son, Bill Powers and wife, Risa; grandchildren: Scarlett, Amanda and Jessica O'Neill, Michael Powers and wife, Brittany, and Bret and Zach Powers; great-grandchildren, Aurora and Jack Powers; sister, Tess Phinney and husband, Walter; and numerous nephews and nieces.

John was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Powers; sister, Mary Justice, wife, Ernestine Powers; and sons, John Jr. and Tom Powers.