John Carl Darwin

John Carl Darwin died Thursday, July 9, at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. He was 77. John was predeceased by his wife, M. Teresa (Moriarty), parents Hans and Irma (Walmsley) Darwin, and brother-in-law James J. Moriarty.

Born on November 12, 1937, at St. Luke’s, John was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, the University of Vermont, and studied at The Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania’s graduate school of business management.

John, who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. Among his commendations was the Combat V, awarded for valor in direct participation in combat operations while he was harbormaster for the port of Da Nang. John served on USS Charles Berry and USS Furse and held command of USS Albert T. Harris and USS J. Douglas Blackwood. As an associate professor of naval science at the University of Pennsylvania, John taught celestial navigation and naval operations.

A noted expert on ropes both nautical and technical, John was coauthor (with Barbara Merry) of The Splicing Handbook, currently in its third edition. He was long a figure on New Bedford’s waterfront, working in several shore businesses, including New Bedford Textile and IMP and Euro fishing gear supply stores.

John was a founder and president of The Fairhaven Acushnet Land Preservation Trust. He was president of The Shaws Cove Improvement Association and of the Wamsutta Club Men’s Luncheon Club. John served many years as an elected member of Town Meeting in Fairhaven and on the town’s Finance Committee and Conservation Commission. He was a member of the Fin, Fur, and Feather Club in Mattapoisett.

John leaves his children, Barbara Burr and husband Toby of Marion, Wendy Wakeman and husband Brad of North Andover, Josh and wife Ricki Darwin of Needham, and Susan Darwin and fiancé John Loddo of Irvington, NY. He was the proud grandfather of Tucker and Alaska Burr, Millicent Wakeman, Elsa and Trygve Ordahl, and John (Jack) and George Darwin. He leaves nephews John and Michael Carroll, sister-in-law Barbara Carroll, a number of cousins, and a trusted friend, Frank DeNauw.

John also leaves his treasured companion, Cora Peirce of New Bedford.

Calling hours will be held at the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington Street, Fairhaven, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Monday, July 13. Friends are invited to a graveside service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Riverside Cemetery, 274 Main Street, Fairhaven. A Memorial Service will follow at 11 a.m. at The Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory can be made to the Fairhaven Acushnet Land Preservation Trust, PO Box 491, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Visit www.waring-sullivan .com for tributes or directions