John R. "Chip" Taft Jr.

06/03/2007

John R. "Chip" Taft Jr., 53, of 278 Houghton St., died Sunday at West Haven (Conn.) Veterans Hospital. He was the veterans' agent for the city of North Adams and a former president of the City Council. He also served as interim mayor in 1983. Born in North Adams on April 28, 1954, son of Therese Judge Taft, and the late John R. Taft Sr., he was an honors graduate of Drury High School, where he participated in plays and musicals and was a member of the folk group. He attended Berkshire Community College, where he was an honors student. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving at Fort Lyn, Kan., as an entertainment specialist. Mr. Taft was executive director of the Vietnam Veterans of Massachusetts in Boston for several years. He was a member of St. Francis' Church, the Democratic City Committee, Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America, where he served as past president. He was also a longtime member and former exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 487. Besides his mother, with whom he made his home, he leaves three sisters, Maureen Moore of North Adams, Diana Taft of Adams and Patricia Donovan of Carver; two brothers, Richard Taft of Carrollton, Texas, and James Taft of Littleton; and his former wife, Angela Carey of North Adams. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for John R. "Chip" Taft Jr., who died Sunday, June 3, 2007, will be Friday at 11 a.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPEL, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown, with military honors. Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the American Diabetes Association or the North Adams Library Fund, through the funeral home. He was a local leader in the campaign for Sen. John F. Kerry's bid for the presidency. He also leaves two brothers-in-law, Timothy Moore and Kevin Donovan; three sisters-in-law, Nancy and Heather Taft, and Carol Cutler; and nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by a brother, Bruce Taft, on Oct. 19, 2003.

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