John Priestley, Jr.
Architect, Decorated Veteran, Former Beacon Hill Resident
John W. Priestley, Jr. of Bourne, a former 30 year resident of Beacon Hill,ت died on March 11.
He was a graduate of Milton High School and the Rhode Island School of Design.ت A proud World War II Air Force veteran who served as First Lieutenant pilot of a B-17 bomber, he survived 35 missions over Europe, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and other medals for extraordinary achievement.ت
He practiced architecture in Boston for more than 60 years; worked on historic projects including Faneuil Hall and lived on Beacon Hill for 30 years.ت He served for decades as Chairman of the Board of Appeals in Boston and Bourne and was a long-time member and former officer of the British Officers Club.
Known to his seven grandchildren as Grandpa Boom-Boom for his enjoyment of loud fireworks and cannon reports, he loved sailing, supported liberal and charitable causes and was well-loved by many for his intelligence, sense of humor, and story-telling abilities.ت
Mr. Priestley was born in Boston on February 5, 1925, the son of the late John W. Priestley and Lillian Golding. He was the brother of the late Martha Silvi and leaves his daughter, Anne Priestley of Holliston, his son, John W. Priestley, III of Rockport, Maine, his former wife, Leah DePrizio of Boston, and was pre-deceased by his son, Joel C. Priestley of Westwood.ت
Burial was at the National Cemetery in Bourne with arrangements entrusted to theت Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Boulevard, Bourne. John requested that donations in his memory be made to the Home for Little Wanderers, Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain.