Obituary of John Ahearn

John D. Ahearn Sr., 86, passed away May 1st, 2014 at Ellis Hospital. He was born January 15th, 1928 in Troy, NY, son of the late Joseph M. Ahearn Sr. and Frances Delaney Ahearn. He graduated from Waterviliet High School in 1946 and went to work at General Electric Company in Schenectady on the Machinist Apprentice Course which was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1954. He served in the Korean War and earned the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class in VS36 Anti-Submarine Squadron. He returned to GE to complete his Apprentice Course. Later he attended the College of St. Rose where he earned a BS/BA degree in and participated in the Graduate Management Program. At GE he worked in manufacturing, purchasing and international marketing programs in the Gas Turbine Department. John retired in January 1988 after 41 years of service with the company. He returned to work as a consultant in India to assist developing a GE licensee Bharet Heavy Electric Limited for a 4 year period. After that he established a consulting company with 2 former associates called MSS Assisting Overseas Visitors to facilitate the purchases of GE Power Equipment. For 25 years he served as an enthusiastic instructor in Effective Presentation in the GE Leadership Program both overseas and in the US. John was united in marriage to Cecelia Palmer in Mechanicville on September 17th, 1955 at the Church of Assumption. They lived in Niskayuna prior to moving to Glenville in 1975. While in Niskayuna he was a communicant of St. Helens where he served as usher and President of Parents Club & Bowling Club. He started the Cub Scout Program and also served as Scout Leader. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and cross country skiing. He is pre-deceased by brother James E. (KIA WW II), Joseph M. Jr., sisters Kathleen M. Donsbach and Frances A. Stigberg. He is also predeceased by his son, James E. Ahearn. Survivors include his loving wife, Cecelia, sons John D. Jr. and wife Deborah, Marblehead, MA, Joseph, Pompano Beach Fl., Thomas M. and wife Maureen, Hamburg NY, Grandsons Alexander and Matthew of Marblehead and Tyler of Hamburg, numerous nephews and nieces. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours at the Glenville Funeral Home on Sunday May 4th from 4-7PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception, Saratoga Road, Glenville NY. Interment will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association, Pine West Plaza, Building 2, Suite 204, Albany NY 12205.