PARSIPPANY, N.J. – John Dorman West Jr., 78, passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, in Parsippany, N.J. Mr. West was born March 11, 1929, in Melrose, Mass. The son of the late Hart Irvine West and John Dorman West Sr., he grew up in Winchester, Mass., and lived in Bangor, before moving to New Jersey. In Winchester, Mass., Mr. West was captain of his undefeated high school football team. He graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics in 1951, where he was a fullback on the football team. He entered the U.S. Army, training at the Army Language School, Monterey, Calif., and served in Army Intelligence on St. Lawrence Island, the Bering Strait. After military service, Mr. West entered Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He then joined Sylvania Electronics, Woburn, Mass. In 1967, he became plant manager of Sylvania’s semiconductor plant, Bangor and later worked at the Dead River Co., there. Maine offered many outdoor experiences of skiing, fishing and camping, which he enjoyed for many years with his family. Mr. West worked in management at Borg Warner, Parsippany, N.J., before retiring in 1995. Survivors include his beloved wife, Judith L. (Vallario); his children, John and his wife, Stephanie, of Orrington, David of Hampton Falls, N.H., Richard and his wife, Jennifer, of Atlanta and William and his wife, Kate, of Barrington, R.I.; his brother and sister, William of Plymouth, Minn., and Jacqueline Martin of Houston; and his extended family, Paula and Fran Grather, Stephanie and Thomas Buchner, and Austin Macaluso. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren; and former wife, Louise West Gerbasi. Mr. West was predeceased by a sister, Camille West Stevens. A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, Pa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Student Scholarships, Office of Alumni Affairs, the Mercersburg Academy, 300 East Seminary St., Mercersburg, PA 17236. Arrangements were under the direction of Par-Troy Funeral Home, Parsippany, N.J., or visit www.partroyfuneralhome.com.
JOHN DORMAN WEST JR.
