John Patch died peacefully on Sunday, July 1 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Paul LaCasse, after a long period of declining health. 

John was born in Claremont on 5/17/1923, the son of John E and Malvina Patch.  He attended St. Mary Schools, graduating in June of 1941.  John immediately began his career at Sullivan Machine Shop after graduation; however, soon after the start of WWII, he enlisted in the Marine Corp.  John was very proud of his 4^th Marine Division and his service in the South Pacific.

After being discharged in 1945, John returned to his job at Sullivan (which eventually was purchased by Joy Manufacturing).

 John worked at Joy for 41 years, rising through the ranks to become Assistant Factory Manager.  John loved his job at Joy, and he fully intended to be the first to work for 50 years.   However, due to changes in the manufacturing environment, John retired with meritorious service on March 1, 1983. 

 John was a Lieutenant in the on-call Claremont Fire Department Ladder Company, serving from 1951 through 1968.  He was a lifetime member of the Moose and Legion of the Moose, moving through all the chairs.  He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW.

 John was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Claremont Country Club.  He thoroughly enjoyed his thousands of rounds of golf with his wife, Alice, his grandsons, and his many golfing buddies.  John even enjoyed mowing the lawns at the Country Club, a job he held after retirement.  John never forgot the great times and many fish he caught with his good friend, Doc (and the family was always grateful for the season ending fish fry prepared by Alice).  

 John married Alice Nelson Clark on August 23, 1948, and together they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.   John is survived by three daughters, Brenda LaCasse and spouse Paul of Claremont,  Sharon Stephens and spouse David of Colorado, and Debra Patch of Keene, NH, nine grandchildren and many great grandchildren.  John will be remembered by his grandchildren as being the master lobster-bake chef and they will never forget the clambakes on the beach in Maine.

 John is also survived by nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his wife, Alice, in 2009,  his daughter Linda Patch Lawrence in 2007, a grandson and great grandson,  his parents and his three sisters.

 There will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Mary Church in Claremont on Friday, July 6^th at Eleven O’clock with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating.                                             

Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.