Mr. John D. Moore

John D. Moore of Pittsfield passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, not long after celebrating his 93rd birthday. Born in Hudson, NY, on December 22, 1929, John was the eldest son of the late Frank J. and Anna E. (Plass) Moore of Ghent, NY, and older brother to four siblings. He graduated from Chatham High School with a Regents Diploma at the age of 16. After a post-graduate course in mechanical drawing, John started an apprentice drafting program with General Electric in Pittsfield, MA in 1947. He was employed by General Electric for most of his career. The end of his apprenticeship program coincided with the Korean War, so John enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. He proudly served his country on active duty, eventually as a Staff Sergeant, as well as in the Air Force Reserve. Returning to the states in 1954, he married Lois Gelhorn, of Stuyvesant Falls, NY. The couple moved to New Jersey, where John finished his active-duty service, and where they welcomed their eldest son. Returning to Ghent, John commuted to work at G.E.. During this time, their daughter was born. The growing family moved to Pittsfield in 1958, where they welcomed their youngest son. John retired in 1986 as Manager of Engineering Documentation in the Power Transformer Department. A member of South Congregational Church since 1961, John was a pillar of that community, serving as teacher, and (later) superintendent of education, as moderator of the Music Committee, as an active member of the Men’s Group, the Social Action Committee, and a Church Trustee. His resonant baritone/bass could be heard every Sunday in the South Church Choir. John lived a generous life devoted to community service, whether as a member of the Boy Scout Camp Eagle Committee or as Scoutmaster; as a leading volunteer at Saint Joseph’s Kitchen at South Church; as board member for the Christian Center; or as the President of the Pittsfield Council of Churches. He recorded technical books for the blind and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and with the Red Cross transporting patients to Boston area doctors and hospitals. In retirement, John sang with the Berkshire Concert Choir and the Hilltown Choral Society. He expanded his role as “Mr. Fixit,” whether at church, at home, or at the homes of his children. And he regularly found time to play a round of golf as a member of the Pontoosuc Golf Club, where his foursome teed off at 6 am on Saturday mornings. John is survived by his beloved wife, Lois, of sixty-eight years; his sons, David W. (Gail) Moore, of Charlton, NY, and Douglas J. (Patricia Ingham) Moore of Bloomington IN; his brother F. James (the late Doris) Moore of Ghent, NY, and sisters, Louise (the late Robert) Jones of Raleigh, N.C., Margaret (James) Larkin, of Sheffield, MA; two grandchildren, Laura Moore (Kyle) Greenhouse, of Saratoga Springs, NY, David J. (Ciara) Moore, of Arlington, MA; and a new great-grandson, Joshua John Moore, who brought him great joy. Many nieces and nephews also survive him. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his daughter Karen S. (Joseph) Hill of Solsberry, IN, and a sister, Laura (the late Harold “Bud”) Piester, of Chatham, NY. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Mount Carmel Care Center, Lenox, for the compassionate care given to John during his stay. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for John D. Moore will be Friday, January 27, 2023, at 11.00 a.m. at the South Congregational Church in Pittsfield. There will be an hour of visitation at the church before the service, from 10 am to 11 am. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to South Community Food Pantry, in memory of John Moore, c/o South Congregational Church, 110 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201.

Mr. John D. Moore

December 22, 1929 - January 17, 2023