John James Prowse, 69, of Concord and Laconia, died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, at home after a battle with cancer. John was born in Concord to the late Robert and Mildred (Veino) Prowse. He graduated from Concord High School in 1957. In 1961, John graduated from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. While in college, John worked summers as a Concord special police officer. In September of 1961, he married Joyce Purinton, also of Concord. He received a master’s degree in language arts from San Francisco State College in 1963. After entering the active Army in 1963, he was stationed in West Germany and served in Vietnam. John was highly decorated for his wartime service. His combat awards included the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. An accomplished military parachutist, John worked closely with the South Vietnamese airborne forces throughout his tour. Following John’s departure from active duty, he remained deeply involved with the Army Reserve, until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1989, with a total of 28 years of service. In 1968, John returned to Concord, primarily to provide his family the special environment he found unique to his hometown. He worked for the Concord Group Insurance Cos., retiring in 1984 after 15 years. John continued his career, working for many years as a civilian private investigator and later as a public affairs officer for the 94th Divisional Headquarters of the Army Reserve. In his last job as a curator/archivist for the U.S. Department of the Interior Museum Services, John finally found the perfect job. The privilege of cataloging our country’s national treasures gave him great joy. John felt especially honored to catalog the papers from Ellis Island, The Longfellow House in Cambridge and Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill home. Over the years, John volunteered his time and talents to many local civic organizations. Most notable was his service as president of the Concord Kiwanis Club and on the board of directors for the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also active in the United Way of Concord, Dollars for Scholars, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, the Concord Union School District and the Association of Citadel Men, where he served as a regional recruiting officer. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling and cheering the Red Sox, having been a lifelong fan. Above all else, he cherished time with family and friends at his beloved Concord Victorian, which he so skillfully restored, and his summer home on Lake Winnisquam. John is lovingly remembered by his wife of 46 years, Joyce; his son and his wife, Jeffrey (lieutenant colonel, U.S. Marine Corps) and Deborah of Huddleston, Va.; his daughter and her husband, Jolene and Jack Driscoll of Phoenixville, Pa.; four grandchildren, Brian Prowse, William Prowse, Matthew Driscoll and Andrew Driscoll; and his sister, Kathryn (Prowse) Willoughby of Montgomery, Ala. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joan (Prowse) Gourley. Calling hours will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St. in Concord. Memorial services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Chaplain Colonel Frank Wismer III, U.S. Army Reserve, will officiate. Burial will follow with military honors at Blossom Hill Cemetery A reception will follow at Snow Shoe Club, Little Pond Road in Concord. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall St., Room 5-N-13, Alexandria, Va. 22332; or The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, S.C. 29409
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