Obituary of John A. Wells

John A. Jack Wells, 81, well-known Peabody Historian and Author, died early Thursday morning at the Twin Oaks Nursing Home, Danvers, following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Dorothy (Lentine) Wells with whom he shared over 56 years of marriage. Born and raised in Peabody, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Della Wells. He later lived in Danvers for a number of years, attended Danvers High School for a year, and later moved back to Peabody in 1967. He was a veteran of World War II who served as a Pharmacist for the United States Navy. After the war he had a pharmacy in Danvers for a number of years and also obtained his Real Estate License for all six New England States. He was the former city of Peabody’ s director of veterans’ service, as well as founding member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Economic Development Company. In 1972, The Peabody Story written by Jack Wells, was published. It gave the complete history of the city of Peabody through articles and photographs and is today one of the most popular references materials at the Peabody Institute Library. For his efforts, he recently received the Harry Ankeles Community Service Award from the Peabody Chamber of Commerce at a ceremony held on November 6, 2003. Besides his loving wife of 56 years, he is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, John A. Wells, Jr. and his wife Darlene of Topsfield, Timothy and Donna Wells of Peabody; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Cheryl Wells Fiore and her husband John Fiore of North Andover, and Sheila Wells of Salem’ a sister, Mary Wells Deluca of Danvers; 4 grandchildren, Michelle Fiore Berg, Sherri Fiore Mirealt, Jason and Justin Wells, a great grandchild, Brianna Berg and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Michael Wells and brother-in-law of the late Carmine Deluca. His funeral service will be held on Monday at 8:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody Facility, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John’ s Church, Peabody at 9:00 AM to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visitation on Sunday from 2 until 6 PM. Burial in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers, MA.