Korean War Veteran
LOWELL John F. ‘Jack’ Tavares, lifelong resident of Tewksbury and Lowell, died peacefully, November 19, 2009, at Twin Oaks Care and Rehabilitation Center in Danvers. He was the husband of Rosemarie (Meehan) Tavares for over forty five years.
John was born in Lowell on July 12, 1932, a son of the late Afons Mello Tavares and the late Mary (Rupa) Tavares. He was educated in the Lowell School system, graduating from Lowell High School. After serving with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, he attended Kansas State University graduating with a degree in City Planning and Landscape Architecture.
Before retiring in 1992, John had worked as Assistant City Planner for the City of Lowell for many years. He was involved with the startup of the Model Cities Program, the Meals on Wheels Program, as well as several other prominent City projects.
Jack enjoyed reading, gardening, and was very interested in geneology. Along with his wife, Rosemarie, he traveled to Poland and Ireland tracing out their Polish and Irish Heritage.
An active and faithful communicant of Holy Trinity Catholic Church on High Street, John was a former member of the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Lowell Lodge of Elks, B.P.O.E.#87.
In addition to his loving and devoted wife, Rosemarie, he is survived by two brothers, James A. Tavares and his wife, Janice M. Tavares, of Lowell and Richard Tavares and his companion, Harriett Carroll, of Chelmsford; a sister, Marilyn D. Tavares of Oakland, CA; sisters in law, Isabel M. Tavares of Lowell, Jane C. Thomas of Hudson, NH, and Carmen Sanders of Arlington. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Afons M. Tavares, Jr., and Joseph J. Tavares, and his sisters in law, Patrice Meehan, Ruth Meehan, and Lorraine ‘Lari’ Jordan.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON MONDAY, NOV 23. ON TUESDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, 340 HIGH ST, LOWELL AT 11 A.M.. BURIAL IN HOLY TRINITY CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO THE ALZHEIMERS ASSOC., 311 ARSENAL ST, WATERTOWN, MA 02472 OR HOLY TRINITY PARISH, 340 HIGH STREET, LOWELL, MA 01852. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
