John Ballard

BARRE TOWN - John Ballard, 79, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. He leaves his wife, Helen (McGinley) Ballard (and a whole lot of in-laws!); his sister, Margaret Amaral, his grandnephew, Christopher Amaral; his grandnieces, Valerie Amaral and Stacey Amaral, his great grandniece niece Mackenzie; and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Steven Amaral.

John was born and raised in Boston and graduated from Brighton High School in 1956, then served in the U.S. Navy for three years. While in the Navy, he attended Electrician’s Mate School and Nuclear Weapons School. He was stationed at Great Lakes, IL; Albuquerque, NM; Bainbridge, MD; Newport, RI; and Hawaii. On returning to the Boston area, he worked 2 years at Honeywell Guidance Systems and began a 33-year career in technical services for Xerox Corporation, working 19 years in the Boston area and the remaining 14 years in Vermont. He retired in 1994 to further pursue his interests in motorcycles and cars.

John dearly loved dogs and during his 38 years of marriage to Helen they were “parents” to at least one (and most often two) dogs. Gracie, the dog he leaves behind, is unhappy that her buddy is no longer here to share a bag of popcorn.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St. in Barre, followed by a reception at another location. A private burial will take place at Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Vermont Humane Society, PO Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601 https://centralvermonthumane.org/ or For the Love of Dogs Vermont, PO Box 1112, Main Street, Waitsfield, VT 05673 http://www.vermontdogrescue.com/