John Richard Bianchi

John Richard Bianchi, 91, of Bristol, NH, passed away on October 30, 2024.

John was born in Montpelier, Vermont in 1933 to Annie (Galli) Bianchi and Joseph Bianchi. He was raised by his Aunt Stella and Uncle Bill Moore. He attended school in Montpelier, VT and graduated from Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA and took additional courses at MIT. He met the love of his life, Josephine (Dolly) Gomez, in junior high school and it blossomed during their high school years. They married after college in 1954 and John went to work for GE Locomotive and transferred to the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Schenectady, NY where their three sons were born. In 1964, the family moved to Bristol, NH where John worked at International Packing Corporation, (IPC) which became Freudenburg NOK. For many years he ran the Quality Control Test Lab.

Over the years John became known as “Mr. Bristol”. If there was something that needed to be done, he was there. He served on the Water Commission for 32 years, advocating for the expansion of the water system throughout the town and through his 28 years on the Sewer Commission advocating for the updating of the wastewater system. During his tenure the town saw many upgrades and improvements, including a high-quality water source at Newfound Lake, a new water tank, expansion of water service to the lake, and a major expansion and modernization of the sewer plant. John also served on the Budget Committee and served on the Capital Improvement Project Committee. He served 47 years as a volunteer fireman and later as photographer. And for six years as the Fire Commissioner. A fire truck is dedicated to him and Bob Patten for their many years of service. In 2018 he and Bebe Wood were recognized as Outstanding Citizens and served as Grand Marshalls at the 4th of July parade. The town report was also dedicated to him. And he received the Community Spirit Award.

John was also very active in the Bristol United Church of Christ Church with his wife, Dolly. He served as a Deacon. In his later years the church honored him as an Elder in recognition of his long dedication and service.

John has also been a faithful and active member of the fraternal lodges of the community and the State. John was entered and raised as a Mason in the Laurel Lodge, Montpelier, VT at the age of 21 years of age. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, the York Rite Bodies, the Shriners, Eastern Star, the Oddfellows and Rebeccas. This includes serving as a Worshipful Master of Union Lodge No.79. He held various State offices including Past District Deputy Grand Master of District 7.

He is predeceased by his parents, Annie and Joseph and Muriel Bianchi and Aunt Stella and Uncle Bill Moore, and his beloved wife of 61 years, Dolly. John was so proud of his family and as Grandpa to Stephanie, Joseph, Kristin, Holly and Jonathan Bianchi. And great Grandpa to his first great grandchild, Anya Lee Michaelson. He is also survived by Stephen and his wife Theresa of Manchester, NH, David and his wife Barbara of Sanford, ME, and Robert and his wife Karen of Nashua, NH.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 2 pm at the Bristol United Church of Christ, 15 Church St., Bristol, NH. A Masonic Service will be held at the end of the services with a reception immediately following in the church hall. Burial will be in the spring.