John Charles MacMaster Jr.

John Charles MacMaster Jr passed away on November 27,2021, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Annie (Sande) Alexander MacMaster, his daughter Becca MacMaster Doyle, his son Greg Alexander MacMaster, his son-in-law Frank Doyle, and grandchildren Liam MacMaster, Eliza Doyle, Sam Doyle, and Lilly Doyle, his sisters Shirley M. Laufer (with husband Ken Laufer) of Overland Park, KS, and Janice M. Kitchen of Natick MA, several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grandnephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Margaret (Daisy) A. MacMaster and John C. MacMaster Sr.

John was born on February 11, 1944 to a celebratory family, anxious for a boy child. His younger years were spent playing stick ball, fishing and excelling at every athletic pursuit. He was always a leader of the team in athletic performance and loyalty to his peers. After four years at Newton High School (Newton MA) where he played football, baseball and ice hockey, John held onto friends from those high school and younger years through out his life. John graduated from Springfield College (MA), then joined the Marine Corps as an officer intent to join the Vietnam War already underway. John was a pilot in HMM-263 flying mainly CH-46D Chinook helicopters during one tour from 1969-1970. Often engaged in medical evacuation missions while under fire. Upon returning stateside, John’s mother announced that she (and Annie’s parents) had arranged a blind date for their two kids. They were married in 1973 and lived in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts before finding their home of 35 years in Swanzey, NH, in 1985. By then they had two kids in school and John threw himself into championing for his kids, coaching teams and being a foundation of support for academic and athletic pursuits. In quiet moments at home, John sought out his old vinyl records from the 70’s, including Peter Paul and Mary and Paul Simon.

John loved to get out to the ocean. He loved owning a boat and fishing rods, and wanted to share this time with his family. He was never happier than when he was vacationing on a small island in the cold Atlantic waters of New England, wearing his G.I. aviator sunglasses, smoking a Marlboro cigarette and listening to the radio chatter discussing where the fish were biting.

Services will be held at 12pm on December 11th, 2021. Celebration of Life ceremony to be held at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey, at 679 Old Homestead Hwy, Swanzey, NH. Reception immediately following. Wearing a mask will be appreciated for the service and will be required for those that choose to sing. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Small Cell Lung Cancer Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 (www.dana-farber.org).