John O. Thayer

PORTSMOUTH, RI - John O. Thayer, 86, of 28 Redwood Road, Portsmouth, RI, Portsmouth Town Administrator and Town Moderator, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2011, at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. He was the husband of Anne Nixon Thayer. Born in Pawtucket, RI on April 2, 1925, he was the son of the late Edward Alanson and Gertrude McCullough Thayer. Mr. Thayer was a direct descendent of Thomas Thayer who with his brother Richard founded Braintree, Massachusetts. John attended Jamestown Elementary School and graduated from Rogers High School Class of 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943, and flew in B-24 Heavy Bombers during WWII with the 15th AF in Italy. John was awarded the Air Medal, the European Theatre Medal with 4 Battle Stars, the American Theatre Campaign, the Good Conduct Medal and a Presidential Group Citation Medal. Mr. Thayer was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1007, Fort Myers, FL. Mr. Thayer was the Portsmouth Town Administrator for over 17 years, retiring in 1990, and Town Moderator from 1970 to 1973. As Town Moderator he was credited with introducing parliamentary procedure to the annual Town Meeting. He was also noted as being a fair man who did not allow politics to sway his decisions. Mr. Thayer was a member of the Portsmouth Budget Committee from 1962 to 1964. He also served on the Building Committees for the Town Hall Expansion and the Police Station. He was a charter member of the Portsmouth Senior Center and served one term on the Board of Directors. John was a lead person in the sale and the development of Henry F. Anthony School into a Senior Living Complex. Although Mr. Thayer was credited with a number of outstanding achievements during his term of office he took pride in the acquiring and development of Melville Ponds Campground. He assisted and signed the lease for the acquisition of the property from the United States Government. In 1949 he graduated from the University of Rhode Island. John was the recipient of the prestigious Rhode Island Expenditure Councils Robert Goodrich Award as the Municipal Man of the Year. He was also the first appointed official to serve as President of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns from 1981-1982. During his term he was appointed by Governor Joseph P. Garrahy to serve on the distinguished Howard Swearer Commission. Mr. Thayer was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church. He served for over twenty five years on the Board and was a lectuer for many years. John was a lifetime member of the Chirstopher Rooney Council Knights of Columbus, a member of the Green Valley Country Club and served six years, two as president on the board. He was instrumental in reestablishing the Babe Ruth Program in the mid 1960s. He served thirteen years in the Portsmouth Little League as a manager. John was a member of the Portsmouth Booster Club and for a number of years served as the Public Address announcer for the high school football games. He served as Treasurer for the Cub Scouts and later became a Committee man for BSA Troop 1, he was also a member of the Town Howlers Square Dance Club for twenty years. At his retirement Mr. Thayer was honored by having Thayer Drive named in his honor. Since his retirement Mr. Thayer had established winter quarters in Ft. Myers, FL. He was overwhelming elected to serve on the Board of Directors for a 685 unit condo association for many years. Mr. Mrs. Thayer enjoyed traveling through Europe and cruising the Caribbean. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Dr. John Thayer, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Thayer of Avon, CT, Mark Thayer, Esq. and his wife Terri-Lynn Thayer of Portsmouth, RI, Jeffrey Thayer and his wife Joan Thayer of Omaha, NE, Laure Thayer of Portsmouth, RI, Wendy A. Thayer-Aiken and her husband George Aiken of Windsor, CA, and Cynthia Moffitt Underhill and her husband John Underhill of South Kingstown, RI, and fourteen grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Alanson Thayer II and Edward A. Thayer Jr. His funeral will be held on Monday, October 24, 2011, at 9:00AM, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM, in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, from 4:00-7:00PM, in the funeral home.