John "Jack" Ahern

John "Jack" Ahern of West Roxbury and Naples FL, formerly of Needham and Bridgton ME, died peacefully surrounded by family on December 2, 2018 in Florida.
Jack was the beloved husband of Kathleen (Sullivan) Ahern, loving father of  Heather Ahern Huish, teacher extraordinaire, and her husband David of Farmington ME and John "JJ" Ahern, proud member of the Boston Fire Department and his wife Elizabeth of West Roxbury. Jack is also survived by his brother, Edmund Ahern Jr of FL, sisters Dorothy Ahern Pender and her husband Thomas of East Falmouth, Kate Ahern-Wolseley and her husband Stephen of Hatchville, granddaughters Zoe and Gretchen Huish of Farmington, ME and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his daughter Alison Ahern, siblings Margaret Ahern Siegfried and Michael Ahern and parents Edmund and Dorothy Ahern.

Jack loved to travel the United States and his many road trips with Kathleen were a source of great togetherness for them. As an in-depth reader and student of Civil War history, he often combined these two loves. Beyond the road trips, he and Kathleen traveled a "bucket list" of USA destinations by air, water, and land. Jack was awed by the spectacular beauty of this country he loved.
He was an avid golfer, skier and jazz aficionado who played the trumpet in both the Holy Name Band and the Norman Prince Drum & Bugle Corps. He and Kathleen enjoyed many relaxing outdoor jazz concerts on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Naples.
Jack was a fan of Boston sports, particularly the Patriots and the Red Sox. But his first love was local high school and college soccer and football. He was a proud Booster Club supporter of all Needham High School sports teams. He could be seen on the sidelines cheering on his son, daughter or granddaughters to "give it all they had." His daughter Alison went on to earn a place in the Columbia University Athletic Hall of Fame.
This is where in the obituary we could add some boring details, but that would not be Jack's style. He would not want you to remember where he went to school, where he worked, awards he received, or what he was a member of. He would want to be remembered for all the little things.......driving the soccer van packed with teenagers being teenagers, to various out of state tournaments; sharing fun times as a "no pay" manager of a ski house in Killington VT, making many life-long friendships along the way; demonstrating the utmost patience in explaining golf tips like a pro to anyone who wanted to learn; and preparing his famous Maine Moose Pond breakfast for the younger set of overnight ski guests who always preferred "crispy please" Jack, bacon.
Above all else, Jack was the consummate family man.......devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Family came first. He was always there for us, no matter what. He would be honored to be remembered simply as a "good man." Most will remember him as a "very good man."

A Memorial service will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, Needham, on Saturday June 15 at 10am. Visitation will be held prior to the service  from 9-10 am. Burial following service at Mary's Cemetery Needham
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jack's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org or to a charity of your choice.

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