John R. Moreton MD

Dr. John R. Moreton passed away at his home in North Chatham, MA on May 27th. He was 93 and had bravely weathered Parkinson’s disease for more than twenty years. While his mobility and dexterity gradually diminished, his keen intellect, insatiable curiosity and infectious wit remained intact until the end.

Born in Salt Lake City, John was the only son of Ethel T. and Arthur E. Moreton. He attended East High School, was an Eagle Scout, and spent much of his free time fly fishing for trout in the mountain streams near his home. He developed a deep and abiding love and respect for nature and the outdoors. John went on to the University of Utah where he was treasurer and vice president of the student body, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and was elected to several honor societies. He graduated with honors in the class of 1940.

John then came east to attend the Harvard Medical School from which he graduated cum laude in the class of 1943 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He was an intern and resident physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital and served in the Navy Reserve medical unit as a lieutenant. When his training was completed he joined the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (now Brigham and Women’s) as a physician and research associate. His peer-reviewed articles and editorials were published in magazines including: Science, The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine and The New England Journal of Medicine.

His medical career was side-tracked in the mid 60’s when a business venture in the iron ore mining industry, which he and his father had founded years earlier, experienced rapid growth and required his attention. He later became a full-time investor in real estate and securities.

John was pre-deceased in 1969 by his first wife, Rose Ann (Penne), with whom he raised their three children in Weston, MA. One of his greatest pleasures was hosting a weekly tennis match with close friends on his home court. He was a member of the Weston Golf Club.

He spent many summers boating and fishing around the Cape and Islands on his sportfisherman, “Seaquestor”. He was a member of the Cape Cod Tuna Club and served as the judge of their annual bluefin tuna tournament for three years. Not content with the short boating season on Cape Cod, he brought his boat to the Palm Beach area for the winter. He enjoyed many friendships with owners and crew at the Rybovich and Cannonsport Marinas. During the 70s and early 80s he made Singer Island, FL his primary residence.

In 1985, he and his second wife, Barbara (Hinkle) headed back north where they purchased land overlooking Bassing Harbor in North Chatham, MA. They built a beautiful home, raised yellow labs and enjoyed all aspects of coastal living with family and friends.

In addition to his adoring and devoted wife, Dr. Moreton leaves his children: Lisa and her husband Dick Adams of East Orleans, MA; Steven P. Moreton of Barnstable, MA; and John P. Moreton and his wife Kathryn of Brewster, MA. He is survived as well by his grandchildren: Emily, Lindsay, Arthur, Alex, and Will Moreton, and a sister, Susan Tevis, of Atherton, CA.

He will be dearly missed. Services will be private. The family requests that any donations in John’s memory be made to the: Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund at the Massachusetts General Hospital c/o MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. Checks should be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital.