John W. Plant, 95

03/27/2008

STOCKBRIDGE — John Willatt Plant, 95, of Stockbridge died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington. He had served as a Stockbridge selectman and town treasurer. Born in Birmingham, England, on October 7, 1912, son of John S. and Mary Baker, he emigrated with his family to New York in 1919. He attended Flushing (N.Y.) High School and the American Institute of Banking. Mr.Plant's banking career began in Yonkers, N.Y., and included executive positions in Huntingdon, Pa., Woodbury and Toms River, N.J., and Lee. He believed strongly in the bank's role in serving and building the community. He retired in 1978 and became active in town government. He was an active member of First Congregational Church. A devoted supporter of the arts, he served for many years as a board member and treasurer of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket. He was a committed and adventurous sailor, and a lover of music and literature. His family said he had a prodigious repertoire of poetry and songs, which he delivered in an unforgettably resonant voice. He sang "Pistol-Packin' Mama" with the same gusto as he displayed in reciting Longfellow and Wordsworth. He was a man whose vitality, enthusiasm and affection inspired all who knew him. His wife, the former Elizabeth "Betty" Rose, whom he married in 1944, died Aug. 19, 2007. He leaves two daughters, Helen Pratt of Kirremuir, Scotland, and Mary Plant of Arlington; two sons, Roberts Plant of Stockbridge and John Plant of Montreal, and their respective spouses and partners; a brother, Richard Plant of California; two grandchildren, John and Mary Pratt of Kirremuir; two stepgranddaughters and two stepgreat-grandsons of Montreal; and many devoted nieces and nephews. Two brothers and a sister are deceased and another son, William Plant, who died in childhood. FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for John Plant will be conducted Wednesday, April 23, at 11 from First Congregational Church in Stockbridge by the Rev. Steven Bridges. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stockbridge Congregational Church or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, which is handling the arrangements. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.

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