John M. “Jack” Gannon

Palmer resident John M. “Jack” Gannon, 88, died at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer Oct. 26, 2012, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Surviving are his loving wife, Mary (Lang) Gannon; their six children, Paul Gannon, David Gannon, Linda Connor, Jackie Regina, Kathy Maisel and Lyle Connor; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his younger brother, Robert Gannon.

Following his retirement from Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, Conn., Jack and Mary Gannon, formally of Wethersfield, Conn., traveled around the United States, enjoying many national parks and communities before making their home in Palmer at Mountain Rose Estates.

Jack and Mary are most proud of their many years of community service at Alaska state parks as volunteer host and hostess for a record number of consecutive summers, most at Delta Junction, Clearwater State Recreation Site. Jack and Mary had originally met, and had a long association with, the Wethersfield Square Dance Club and also the Palmer Square Dance Club.

Jack Gannon was a World War II veteran who fought in the European campaign as a member of the 280th Engineers Company. He also had many years of service with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Jack was born in Brownsville, Penn., and grew up in Stamford, Conn. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He was very proud of his professional engineering license. Jack had also served as deacon for many years at the historic First Church of Christ in Old Wethersfield, Conn.

A memorial gathering to remember and honor Jack is planned at 1 p.m., Nov. 3 at United Protestant Presbyterian Church, 713 S. Denali St., Palmer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in honor of “Jack Gannon” (please include his name in memo/notes line on check) to the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska (Matanuska Valley office), Suite 110, 10355 East Palmer-Wasilla Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645.

Alzheimer Resource in Palmer provided many hours of guidance and comfort to the family in planning for Jack’s care.

The family would also like to express gratitude for the staff at Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer for their years of kind and thoughtful care.