CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Merchant Marine Capt. John T. Owensby, 46, of 251 West Road died Friday, March 1, 2013, at his home. Born in North Adams on Dec. 18, 1966, son of Joan Girardi Owensby of Clarksburg, he graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1985 and from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1987. He obtained his degree in construction management from the University of North Florida in 1989. In March 2003, he became a Merchant Marine officer and obtained his marine captain's license.Mr. Owensby was employed at Petricca Construction Co. and later established New England Construction Co. and Berkshire Driveways and Sealer, of which he was owner and operator. He also was a project manager for Williams College.

He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth's Church in North Adams. Active in sports, he was a volunteer baseball coach at Williams College, worked at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale and was active with the North Adams SteepleCats. He also coached for the Williamstown Cal Ripken Baseball League and was a member of the American Baseball Coaches and the Baseball Hall of Fame associations. He was a member of the North Adams Sons of Italy, the Berkshire County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Greylock Community Club and a former member of the North Adams Elks Club. He volunteered for the Custom City Cycle Fun Run to raise funds for the Shriners. He loved hunting and fishing and was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited, and a life member of Bass Angler Society and the National Rifle Association. 

He will be remembered as a loving and devoted son, husband, father, brother and friend. Besides his devoted mother, he leaves his loving wife, the former Sonja St. Pierre, whom he married Sept. 28, 1996, in St. Raphael's Church in Williamstown; two children whom he loved dearly, a daughter, Jordan Elizabeth Owensby, and a son, Jackson Valentino Owensby, at home; a brother, David Michael Owensby of the town of Florida; an aunt and uncle, Susan and George Galli, of Williamstown; his very close granduncles and grandaunts, nephews and many cousins and friends.He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Valentino "Tino" and Angelina "Lena" Cozzaglio Girardi.

FUNERAL NOTICE — A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mr. Owensby will be celebrated Friday, March 8, at 11 at St. Elizabeth's Church, North Adams. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations are suggested for the John T. Owensby Children's Education Fund through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247. *Information as provided.