John J. Therrien

John Joseph Therrien, 93, passed away peacefully in the early hours of April 4th, 2024. Born in 1931 to his parents Emmanuel and Catherine Therrien in Swanton, VT, John was the oldest of six.  Just shy of his 21st birthday, John entered the Airforce and spent his time in the service working as a Radio Control Operator while seizing the opportunity to travel to Greenland. Upon his return to the US, he met Barbara, the best friend of his sister Kathy. The two dated for six months and became engaged at Christmas in 1955. The couple wed in 1958 and spent over 65 years devoted to one another. In 1959, they welcomed their first child, Deborah, followed by Karen (1960) & David (1964).  

For years John worked at the Ware Shoe Company and in 1973, he began his career at FlexCon where worked his way up in the Shipping & Receiving Department. He worked at FlexCon for more than 20 years and in 1996 retired; much to the chagrin of his clients who greatly valued the quality and consistency of his work. He was so good at his job that Boeing once gave him an award for the caliber of his work. Though he received a hat and certificate for this, the real reward was a job well done as John had an incredible work ethic. His family will tell you that, much like his attention to detail in his work, he applied that same degree of care to wrapping gifts that were next to impossible to open- but never arrived damaged. 

John was an incredibly knowledgeable local historian and a member of both the “Friends of the Quabbin” and “The Swift River Valley Society”. He contributed often to newsletters and was published in various works about the Quabbin. John and his wife Barbara spent countless hours walking through the Quabbin. They shared their love of this “accidental wilderness” with their children and grandchildren often taking the kids blueberrying and hiking while telling stories of the towns that were once there. His keen eye for the beauty of the Swift River Valley was well reflected in his beautiful photography. John’s office drawers were filled with neatly organized photographs and film canisters of landscapes, flora, fauna, wildlife, and the people he loved. John was a proud veteran and active in the American Legion and the Dept of Veteran Affairs. He hoped to help others who served their country. John and Barbara were frequent visitors of the Bar Harbor area, making time to explore Acadia National Park and stopping for one of their favorite meals of Lobster Stew and fresh popovers at the Jordan Pond House with evenings spent at the quiet cottage on Seal Cove. 

John passed away only two months after his beloved wife, Barbara.  He is survived by his children, Deb Lizak & DJ Beaulieu, Karen Therrien (of Ware), and David & Heidi Therrien (of Omaha); his grandchildren, Heather Willis, Amanda Therrien, & Brittany Bottger; his great grandchildren, Jenna & Kyra Langlais, and Millie Bottger; and his great-great grandchildren Gavin, Mia, Bentley, Aubrey, & River. John leaves behind his sisters Theresa, Mary Ellen, Elaine and her husband Ed, brother JR, brother-in-law Donald Thurber and his wife Marie, and sister-in-law Kate Thurber. John was preceded in death by his sister Kathy Mundell, brothers-in-law Dee Thurber, and Roger and wife Doris Thurber.

John clipped the poem below from a newspaper many years ago. As we reflect on his long, well lived life, we know that he is still very much here with us- especially in the Quabbin.  

Do not stand at my grave and weep, 

I am not there, I do not sleep. 

I am a thousand winds that blow. 

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 

I am the gentle autumn rain. 

When you wake in the morning hush, 

I am the swift, uplifting rush 

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night. 

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry. 

I am not there, I did not die.

-By Mary Elizabeth Frye 

At the family’s request, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following: The Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, 375 Kings Highway North, Suite B, Cherry Hill, Nj 08034.

The Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street in Ware, is honored to have served the Therrien family.

An online guest book is available at charbonneaufh.com

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