Obituary of John S. Bartlett, Jr

John Sumner Bartlett Jr., from Peabody, died on March 21. He was the beloved husband of Camille (Schexnayder) Bartlett. The 95-year-old led a spirited walk through life, serving his country, the phone company, and most notably, his family. John grew up in Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester. The eldest son of John S. Bartlett Sr. and Helen Gertrude (McGuire) Bartlett, he was born a year after the Red Sox won the World Series. Despite his lifelong fandom, he would have to wait 85 years to finally see a world championship. He graduated from Boston Latin High School in 1938. His love for numbers shined at Bryant and Stratton Business School, where he graduated with a degree in business administration in 1940. His financial acumen served him well in the 81st Infantry of the Army. He graduated from Duke University’s U.S. Army sponsored Accounting Program in 1942, and worked in the Finance Division of the Army till 1946. A twist of fate led him to the love of his life, the late Camille (Schexnayder) Bartlett, at Jackson Barracks in Louisiana. The pair was married in a small ceremony a short time later, and moved to Fort Hood, Texas upon army reassignment. Camille moved to John’s hometown of Dorchester to deliver their first son, and was joined by John after he was honorably discharged in 1946. John’s career success followed him to New England Telephone. He retired as Chief Accountant in 1985 after 37 years with the company. Although John’s career successes were enough to garner notoriety, John will mainly be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, and affectionate grandfather. He once drove his eldest daughter to college in Virginia and sent post-cards to her at every stop on the way back to Massachusetts. He sent and kept countless letters to his eldest son in Vietnam. He happily attended sports games, concerts, and recitals for both his children and grandchildren with a pep in his step and a smile on his face. He was such a devoted sports fan, his son wasn’t allowed to start his paper route until he had read the sports section of each paper. In retirement, he was an avid golfer, and a Starbucks enthusiast. His endless knowledge made him the perfect homework shortcut for his grandchildren, and his unwavering support brought him to stand by their sides in all they endeavored to do. John learned to laugh in the face of fear, and wink back at worried eyes. He will forever live in the perfect pitches of the songs he hummed, and in the flick of the front porch light he turned on and off to wish visitors farewell. A loving uncle, cousin, and friend; John leaves behind three sons - John S. Bartlett III and his wife Cheri (Belmore) Bartlett, Richard Bartlett, and Thomas Bartlett and his wife Donna (Bechet) Bartlett. John also leaves daughters Deborah (Bartlett) Riquier and her husband Thomas Riquier, and Camille Bartlett. John’s four grandchildren – Luke Richards, Jessica Bartlett, Bret Bartlett, and John Bartlett IV – will forever remember “Pop”. John is survived by his brother, Edward Bartlett, and his cousins Mary Sullivan and John Gray. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 25 from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street in Peabody. Following cremation, a funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 27 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish located at 17 Chestnut Street in Peabody. Burial will be in PuritanLawnMemorial Park, Lake St., Peabody. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Jimmy Fund or to Care Dimensions in Danvers.