John “Jack” E. Bethel ’52
John “Jack” E. Bethel ’52 passed away on March 13, 2015, at his residence in Hampden, Massachusetts. Jack was born in Marion, Massachusetts, on July 13, 1928. He was a graduate of Tabor Academy in Marion, served in the U.S. Army for 18 months and graduated from College in 1952. At Dartmouth he majored in English and was a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa and a featured member of the Barbary Coast band. He later graduated from Western New England College School of Law. Jack’s career included sales at Friden Inc. (business machines), claims manager for Home Insurance Co. of New York and 24 years as a manager of Town Insurance Agency. Jack was an active member of the Shriners, serving in many capacities and belonging to several lodges, including the Pythagorean Lodge in Marion for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Springfield (Massachusetts) Council Royal and Select Masters, Springfield Commandery No. 6 and Connecticut Valley Consistory. He was a member of the Melha Shriners for more than 45 years and was their potentate in 1984. Jack was involved with the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Springfield and Boston, serving on both boards of governors and on many committees. He was also a member of the Hampden Lions Club. Jack enjoyed playing in the Men’s Dixieland Band and the J.C.C. Big Band, a 1950s-style dance band, as a lead tenor saxophonist. His wife, Joyce, predeceased him in 2012.
