ADAMS, Mass. —  

Hobo folklore characterized the Hobo cohort as a journey culture (as opposed to the more common destination orientation). When a Hobo died it was customary to announce that he or she had "boarded the westbound".

On January 31, 2026, after an 84 year run, John boarded the "westbound" and left the physical life to join his dog Bo Jangles in the afterlife and hopefully hang out with John Prine and Hoyt Axton...maybe sing few songs. If he gets there before Willy, he might try to sit in with the Highwaymen …. also planning to hook up with old friends John Linehan and Dennis Lambell. assuming they made the cut, of course. John was born in Adams, first son of James and Elizabeth Baran. He attended local schools and, much to the chagrin of his mother, enlisted in the Navy after graduating high school in 1958. She was hoping for the priesthood. He attended basic training and Electronic Technician (ET) school at Great Lakes followed by sea duty aboard the USS Macon, the Roy O Hale and the Harlan R Dixon. After completing his tour, he went to work at GE's Ordnance Systems, the first of five decades of assignments in the Aerospace and Defense industry at GE, Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. Concurrently, John attended BCC and NASC under the auspices of the GI Bill.

Armed with a modest intellect, an ad hoc education and a large measure of curiosity and hopefully common-sense John embarked on a lifetime of service in the Defense, Aerospace, and National Security establishment. His favorite assignment was Program Manager for the Design and Development of the Trident II Fire Control System (1983-!988). He was proud of the fact that he and his cousin Stanley who was head of Engineering at GE Ordnance Systems brought the program in on schedule and under cost in a partnership with the Navy's Strategic Systems Program Office (SSPO). Trident II remains in service today as a key part of the Strategic Triad. (Coincidentally Stanley was also a Navy veteran and an ET rating). John's last corporate assignment was at BAE systems as Interim President of the Customer Solutions sector, which include multiple companies with products ranging from shipyards to cyber with revenues of 3.7B and 17 thousand employees. He was part of the leadership team that managed the restructuring of BAE's North American footprint.

After retiring from BAE Systems in 2008 he founded Triangle Consulting with a primary focus on revenue growth and executive mentorship. In 2011 he joined Wellbridge Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace, Defense and Government Services where he remained active as a Managing Director until his passing. Outside of his work life John enjoyed multiple sports as a Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and New York Giants, and especially UCONN women's basketball fan. Motor sports were also a long-standing interest with Fl being a favorite. John leaves his wife of 63 years Geraldine (Jeri), whom he married in 1962, two sons, Christopher, his wife Collette, grandchildren Christian, Joshua, Zachary, Jude, Olivia and Ellie and great grandson Chayse; and son Jonathan (Paul), his wife Barbara, and grandchildren, Alexander and Nathan. He also leaves two brothers Jerome (Jerry), his wife Maureen and Joe and his wife Janice. John was profoundly grateful for the support brother Jerry and wife Maureen provided during his excursion into medical treatment.

John was also thankful for his long-standing friendship with Christina Smith, Michael Hughes, Doug Kiliman, Jane Pearson and John Vogel. At his request there will be no services. As an alternative John suggested that friends imagine a horse drawn caisson carrying his remains proceeding down Bourbon Street to the vocals of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw singing "Diggi Diggi Lo". Certainly, better than the customary Big Easy Dirge. It might give you an ear worm, but worth it!

As he reluctantly boarded the westbound, John voiced a Vietnam War era departure salutation... KMAGYOYO!

To leave a message of condolence for John’s family, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com