John Fordyce Myers

John Fordyce Myers of Brewster, Massachusetts passed away peacefully Saturday evening February 11, 2023, surrounded by family. John was born to the Reverend Lester Myers and Elsie Myers on March 1, 1931, in Mansfield, Massachusetts. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sister Martha Lou Churchill, brother-in-law Bradford Churchill, and son Bradford Thurston Myers.

John graduated in 1948 from Brockton High School, was in the class of 1952 from Bates College, and received a Master of Arts from Boston University in 1953. Later, he continued his education as a doctoral candidate at the University of Maine.

John’s teaching career began in 1953 at West Junior High School in Brockton, Massachusetts. He then served two years in the United States Army receiving his discharge in 1956 as Staff Sergeant from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Upon his discharge, he continued to teach in Brockton and then at Braintree High School. From 1963 to 1968, he served as vice-principal of Abington High School. John continued to follow his passion for teaching as a professor of history at Bridgewater State College (University) where he taught from 1968 until his retirement in 1994. During his time at Bridgewater, he earned full professorship and spent six years as history department chairman. Also, he started the Canadian Studies Program and served as the coordinator for sixteen years. This program celebrated its 50th anniversary two days before his passing.

John is survived by his wife Mary to whom he was married for over 44 years; 28 of those years spent happily on Cape Cod. He is also survived by former wife Nancy Forbes Myers with whom they had four children: Susan Myers Smith and her late husband Kenneth Smith of Rochester, NH; the late Bradford Thurston Myers; Andrew Forbes Myers and his wife Joanne of Bridgewater, MA; Christopher Cain Myers of Chesapeake, VA. John (Grandpa) is also survived by six grandchildren: Nicholas and Cali of Bridgewater, MA and Alexandra, Emily, Isabel, and Joshua of Chesapeake, VA.

The most notable of John’s many involvements were as moderator and elder in the United Church of Christ in Abington, MA; the Lincoln Group of Boston; the Cape Cod Civil War Roundtable; the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. John had many interests over the years; traveling to the Canadian Maritimes, the UK, Bermuda, and Gettysburg, PA; reading and learning about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War; watching the Red Sox and Patriots as well as many college sports on ESPN. He enjoyed participating in two ROMEO (retired old men eating out) groups. John was a very gregarious person who could strike up a conversation with anyone at any time. He loved to hear about their lives and to share his anecdotes. His laugh will be long remembered. John spent his last days at home happily relaxing in his recliner reading, with his beloved cat Celeste on his lap.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church; Wildcare of Eastham; or the Cape Cod Civil War Roundtable.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist Church, Brewster, MA on Saturday, March 25 at 11:00. A collation will follow in the parish hall. The burial will be private.