Born in Fall River, the son of the late John W., Sr. and Marion (Goff) Borden, he was born and raised along the Coles River in Swansea and then became a longtime resident of Westport.
A graduate of Joseph Case High School, Class of 1961, he attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he gained the skills to become a professional mariner, and Roger Williams University, earning a degree in Engineering. John had an adventurous soul and a sailor's spirit, enjoying all things involving the sea. He was a skilled boat captain, a successful offshore lobsterman, a daily quahogger on the Westport River, an avid member of the Westport Shellfish Commission, and a leader for fishing conservation efforts. He enjoyed hunting, sports, reading, woodworking, and travel. John will be remembered for his love of nature, wealth of knowledge, and sense of humor, which was always accompanied by his infectious laughter.
He is survived by five daughters, Stephanie Brown and her husband, Eric, of Rehoboth, Emily Weibel and her husband, Evan, of Somerset, Julie Borden and her partner, Leo Brookins, of Pontiac MI, Nelia Borden and her boyfriend, Mitchell Suzan, of Fall River, and Grace Borden and her boyfriend, Mason London, of Westport; a loving companion Janice Dey and her five children; one sister, Merrilyn Cushing of Amherst; seven grandchildren, Samantha and Westall Brown, Brayden Kitchen, Lydia and Josephine Weibel, and Leonora and Ephraim Daniel; and several wonderful nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late John W. Borden IV and brother of the late Betsey Randall.
Visitation will be held at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place Funeral on Sunday, July 7th from 3-6PM. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 8th at 10:00AM in the Methodist Church, 1912 Main Road Westport Point, MA 02791. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to the John W. Borden IV Memorial Scholarship at Mass Maritime Academy Fund, PO Box 312, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 or Shellfish Propagation C/O Town of Westport, 816 Main Rd., Westport, MA 02790, Memo Line to say “Shellfish Propagation Fund”.
For tributes and directions please visit www.waring-sullivan.com
