John H. West

John H. West, 73, of, Middletown, RI, died Friday, July 6, 2012 at Newport Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Millie E. (Oakley) West. Born in Newport, RI on June 26, 1939, he was the son of the late Harold Franklin and Winifred (Laird) West.John was a 1957 graduate of Rogers High School and began work right away and was always involved in many different things. Above all his work and accomplishments, he was dedicated to his family, especially his loving wife and his wonderful grandchildren, they were the apple of his eye. He was well known as an enthusiastic Red Sox fan, and was fortunate enough to have attended the first game of the 2004 World Series game at Fenway Park, and sat in the front row. His career began at Raytheon in Portsmouth, and later for Avica Corporation in Middletown, doing design drafting and sales. In 1961 he became a licensed real estate broker for the Gallery of Homes in Middletown, and then began his own firm in 1978, West Associates. He was also part owner of the Rialto Weiner Shop in Newport, as well as part owner the Astors Beechwood estate in the 1970s and 1980s. By the mid 1980s, John was a leading broker with the RE/MAX organization, with 10 franchises in the Northeast. In the 1990s he expanded his business to include Real Estate Services and the Campanelli Properties, concentrating in Special Land and Development. In the 1960s he was a Charter Member of the Newport County Board of Realtors.John was also a very involved citizen, serving on the Newport City Council from 1973-1975, and a member of Kiwanis and the Lions Club. He was a dedicated member of the Jaycees, and was past president of the Newport Jaycees for two terms, a Jaycee Senator from 1996-1998, State VP and Vice Chairman of the RI Jaycees, and winner of the Spoke of the Year Award, Outstanding First Year Jaycee, National Governor Award, and One of Ten Outstanding Young Men of Jaycees award, as well as Jaycee Senator ship (their highest worldwide award).His volunteer efforts were also apparent as a former board member at New Visions of Newport County, Newport County Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber Revisions of Newport; a charter member of the Aquidneck Corporation, and the Aquidneck Island Development Corporation. This organization was formed when the fleet left Newport and is still operating today assisting with the development of industrial land on Aquidneck Island.His efforts were also applied to his hometown of Middletown, where he served 8 years as Vice Chairman of the Zoning Board, Vice Chair of Charter Review and Zoning Ordinance Review, and spent 2 years revising and modernizing the Zoning Board. John also served as Secretary for the Democratic Town Committee, and was on the Board of Directors for Middletown Babe Ruth baseball. His involvement in Little League and Babe Ruth spanned many years, and involved many team sponsorships. John also enjoyed working for the Jazz and Folk Festivals from the 1960s right to the 2000s, in many capacities including the Security Director.He is survived by his loving wife, Mildred "Millie" West of Middletown, recently, celebrating their 50th year of marriage on May 5, 2012. He is also survived by his son John West and his wife Tina West of Peabody, MA, and his daughter Kelley E. Torkomian of Middletown, RI, a sister Joanne Gauthier and her husband Robert of Fall River, MA, as well as his beloved grandchildren, Derek West, Jonathon and Allie Torkomian, and many nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse/Hospice Services Of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842. Cemetery Details Middletown Four Corners Cemetery Turner and Wyatt Roads Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation JUL 10. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service JUL 11. 12:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com