John 'Jack' Dempsey, 81

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — John Matthew "Jack" Dempsey, 81, of North Adams died Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Williamstown Commons.

He was born in North Adams on August 23, 1934, son of Matthew and Frances (McIver) Dempsey. He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1952. He graduated from Norwich University with a BA in Business in 1956. At Norwich, he was awarded the Distinguished Military Student Award.  Jack was an excellent skier and was captain of the ski team at Drury High School and Norwich University.

Following his graduation, Jack completed his Basic Military Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany, where he served until his discharge from the Army in 1958.

On April 8, 1959, he joined the Vermont National Guard, where he served as an officer in  many capacities, including as Battalion Commander of the 172nd Armor Division, Brigade Commander of the 86th Brigade and Brigadier General of the 50th Armored Division until his retirement in 1988 with the rank of Brigadier General.
 
Jack was employed with his family in the operation of the Martin's Shoe Store in North Adams, becoming the owner of the store in 1974 until its closing in 2002.

He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. He was a member of the American Legion in North Adams and the VFW in St. Albans, Vt. He was active in the community as trustee of North Adams Regional Hospital, a member of the Northern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Downtown Development Committee.  He was an avid golfer and was a longtime member of the Taconic Golf Club.  He had been a member of the All-National Guard Pistol Team and was a member of the Visiting Nurse Association.

Survivors include two daughters, Eileen Clark and her husband Ronald and Carrie Alibozek and her husband Doug, all of Adams; one son, John Matthew Dempsey Jr. and his wife Deborah of North Adams; four grandchildren, Kara Clark and Derek Clark of Adams and Cheyanne Dempsey and Sarah Dempsey of North Adams; one great-grandson, Braydin Clark; his longtime companion, Laurie Brown; his former wife, Helen Dempsey of St. Albans, Vt.; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.  

Two sisters are deceased, including Carolyn Dempsey and Maureen Lenseth.

Funeral Notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Jack Dempsey will be celebrated Friday, May 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.  Burial with military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, May 12, 2016, from 4 to 7  p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 Main St., North Adams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Fund at Williamstown Commons, 25 Adams Road, Williamstown, MA 01267 or The Norwich Fund, Norwich University Development Office, 158 Harmon Drive Northfield, VT 05663 or in care of the funeral home.