John E. Rutecki, 95, of Milton, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home surrounded by the love of his family on August 16, 2017.

The son of Polish immigrants and a life-long resident of Milton, John was born in the upstairs back bedroom of a two-family duplex situated on the Copeland Farm property off Randolph Avenue. John’s mother died suddenly when he was only seven years old, and John was forever deeply grateful to the Copeland family for the support and benevolence they kindly provided to John’s father, sister and brother thus enabling them to survive the Great Depression and loss of their mother.

John attended the Milton Public Schools and earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII, was accepted into the V-12 Program at Tufts University and was awarded his commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1944. John proudly served as an Engineering Officer aboard the converted aircraft carrier U.S.S. Santee (to which he affectionately referred as the “Queen of the C.V.E.’s”) and saw action with the Pacific Fleet during the Battle of Okinawa and subsequent naval engagements in the Pacific theater until the end of the war.

After the war John became employed as an electrical engineer for Westinghouse Corporation where he worked for 42 continuous years in the Electric Service Division initially as a service engineer and then gradually rising through the ranks of management and ultimately retiring at the pinnacle of his professional career in 1987 as Regional Manager.

John’s civic activities included service as Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts Troop 4 Milton, President of the Tucker School P.T.A., a three-year term as a member of the Milton Warrant Committee, and President of the Westchester Gardens condominium Board of Trustees in Venice, FL.

John was possessed of a remarkably sharp and analytical mind until the very day of his passing which he applied rigorously in pursuit of his many interests and hobbies which included home building and repair, electrical/mechanical/civil engineering, gardening, beekeeping, woodworking, automobile and small engine mechanics, history, science and nature, hiking, photography and computer technology.

John forged many cherished and enduring friendships from his years in the Navy, his employment at Westinghouse, his civic activities in Milton and Florida, and the Milton neighborhood in which he resided for the past seventy-six years. Most important of all, John was totally devoted to his large extended family all of whom without exception relied on him heavily for the advice, assistance, admonishment and encouragement which he gave so generously and wisely at all times throughout his entire adult life.
John is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Alice M. (Sampson); his children John E., Jr., of Mansfield, MA; Robert J. of Milton, MA; James C. of Milton, MA; and Marie A. Hawkins of Murrayville, GA. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Rachel, David, Holly, Pamela, Tara, John Daniel, Kathleen, William, Andrew and Nathan as well as six great grandchildren: Ruby, Gavin, Colton, Blake, Elisa and Isla.

John is and will always be eternally loved and admired by his entire family who shall remain as devoted to his memory as he was in life to them.

A graveside service open to the public will be conducted at the Milton Cemetery, 211 Centre Street, Milton, Friday, August 25, 2017, commencing at 11:00 A.M. Please meet at the front entrance.