John Ahern Jr., 69, Was High School Counselor
John J. (Jack) Ahern Jr., 69, of Yarmouthport died on Monday, May
13, at his home of pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Susan
Everett Ahern of Yarmouthport.
He was born and grew up in Woburn. He was graduated from St. John’s
Preparatory School. He attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C.,
and Boston College, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in
philosophy. He went on to Boston University and earned a master’s degree
in counseling.
Mr. Ahern was the first guidance counselor on the Vineyard, serving
as director of guidance for the then-new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High
School. He embraced the treasures offered by the Island, from enjoying
its tranquil beauty to playing timpani with the Vineyard Sinfonietta.
After leaving the Island, Mr. Ahern worked as a test consultant for
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. He then relocated to Cape Cod, where he owned
several businesses and was, most recently, the genial proprietor of the
gift shop at the Red Jacket Beach Motel.
He was an avid yard-sale follower and, until his illness, was a
guiding force for the Cape Cod Post-Polio support group.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Elinor Marie
Ahern of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; two sons, Thomas Joseph Ahern of
Boston and West Falmouth and John Joseph Ahern 3rd of Martha’s Vineyard;
a stepdaughter, Heather Sandahl of Walpole; a stepson, Robert MacIvor of
Olmsted Township, Ohio; a sister, Ann Marie Hampton of South Dennis and
Whitehall, N.Y.; a brother, David G. Ahern of South Dennis; eight
grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May
18, at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South
Dennis, preceded by a visiting hour from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral
home. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to
Bumpy’s Path, part of an outdoor education classroom for schoolchildren,
c/o Castleton State College, Development Office, Castleton, VT 05735 or
Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 270 Communication Way, Hyannis,
MA 02601 or a charity of one’s choice. It was Jack’s wish that in his
memory, you go out of your way to do something nice for someone else
today.