Obituary of John Russell Levangie

John "Jack" Russell Levangie

October 14, 1947 - October 31, 2023

East Bridgewater, Middleboro, Saquish Beach Plymouth

Jack passed away peacefully on his favorite holiday, Halloween, with his beloved wife and daughters at his bedside. He had just turned 76 years old on October 14.

Jack was married for 46 wonderful years to the love of his life, Janet. Together they had two daughters, Jacquelyn "Jacqui" and Juliet. Jack loved nothing more than his family, friends, canine companions, and Saquish Beach. Jack was always helping others and was the type of guy who'd give a stranger the shirt off his back. He was always the life of the party, first one on the dance floor, and thoroughly enjoyed making people smile and laugh. He always made fast friends with everyone he met.

After graduating from East Bridgewater High School in 1966, Jack went on to receive a postgraduate degree in Automotive Repair at Weymouth Vocational Technical School in 1968. During high school and for five years after, Jack worked with his father at Firestone Tire Company in Brockton. He then worked as a cement truck operator at Chuckran Cement Company in Bridgewater before his life-long career as a heavy equipment operator, specializing in roller operation in asphalt paving. He enjoyed 23 years at T.L. Edwards Inc. in Avon, 11 years at P. A. Landers Inc. in Hanover, and 5 years at T & K Asphalt Services Inc. in Whitman. His work ethic was second to none and he took great pride in his work.

Jack loved to socialize and always looked forward to visitors at his home garage in Middleboro and at his cottage on Saquish Beach in Plymouth. He loved anything with a motor, especially his Chevy trucks, diesel Chevette and Vega, Amphicat, and Zodiac. He loved the challenge to fix anything. Jack was proud to build his home garage with his brother-in-law Basil Goss. His garage included a lift which enabled him to work on family and friends' vehicles in his free time. If he wasn't splitting wood for the winter he was out in his garage working on a vehicle and/or enjoying a frosty beer from his kegerator with a friend or two, or three... or more!

He was a member of the Upland Sportsman's Club in Plympton and was a certified NAUI scuba-diver. He enjoyed recreational diving for lobster with his neighborhood friends off the shores of Saquish Beach. He also enjoyed clamming and giving speed-boat rides in his Zodiac at Saquish. He was a Gurnet-Saquish board member and the head of the Gurnet-Saquish Conservation Committee in the early 1990's. He was always coordinating "work-parties" with other G-S members, friends and family to plant grass, install fence posts and snow fences throughout Gurnet and Saquish. Of course, after a long hard day, the work parties would always conclude with enjoying a cold beer, or two, with his friends. He took great pride in preserving the coastline and his beloved beach community.

Jack was famously known as "Cracker Jack" to the Gurnet-Saquish community; it was his CB radio "handle" back when he and Janet bought their cottage in 1985. Jack enjoyed dressing up as Sailor Jack and throwing out Cracker Jacks to the kids at the Gurnet-Saquish Fourth of July parade every year. Jack also loved the band, The Beach Boys, and blared their surfing tunes whenever cruising up and down the beach.

Jack battled Alzheimer’s for ten years, the last six of which in a nursing home. Jack would want you to remember the good times you spent with him, rather than his decline at the end of his life. Jack will be deeply missed. His kindness, loving heart, and unwavering love for his family and friends will forever be cherished. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Please think of a fond memory of him next time you enjoy a cold beer (or beverage of your choice), smile, and raise a toast in his name.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Janet (Locke) Levangie of Plympton and Saquish Beach, Plymouth, his older daughter Jacquelyn Ferreira and her husband, Helder, of Swansea, and his younger daughter Juliet Fuller of Plympton. He was the proud "Pepe" to granddaughter Braelin Fuller and grandson Braoin Fuller.

Jack was the son of the late Willis W. Levangie and Evelyn (Bouldry) Levangie. He is survived by his older sister, Linda, and her husband, James "Jim" Burke of Tucson, AZ and his youngest sister, Nancy, and her husband Wayne Fernald of Westford, MA. He was predeceased by his older brother, Willis "Bill" Levangie Jr., and younger sister, Susan (Goss) and her husband Carl "Jake" Karrfalt. Jack loved all his siblings and brothers-in-law immeasurably.

Jack is survived by niece Kathy Burke of Tucson, AZ, nephew Timothy Burke of Shelby, OH, niece Heather Fernald of Acton, MA, niece Nicole Fernald of Framingham, MA, niece Kimberly Fernald of Holyoke, MA, niece Alissa Fernald of Charlestown, MA, niece Jodie Fernald of Lexington, MA, nephews Kyler Goss and Andrew Goss of Franklin, NH, niece Amanda Lindvall of Sagamore Beach, MA and nephew Ian Lindvall of Halifax, MA, all of which he loved greatly. Jack is also survived by many cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews whom he adored.

Jack's family sincerely thanks the nurses and staff at Oakhill Healthcare in Middleboro, Blue Hills Rehab and Healthcare in Stoughton, and Beacon Hospice Care in Fall River for caring for Jack and showing kindness to him and his family.

Calling hours will be from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, Massachusetts, 02364. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Jack to his beloved Gurnet-Saquish Corporation, ATTN: Conservation (P.O. Box 245A, Duxbury, MA 02331) or to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). If a donation is unable to be made, Jack would want you to honor him by passing on a random act of kindness instead... which could be as simple as holding a door for someone or wishing someone a nice day!