Obituaries

He attended public school in Cambridge, the Hoosac School of New York, and Cambridge Ringe & Latin in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During his time in New York, John would write home often signing his letters affectionately as “your Jackie” to his mother. A creative artist at heart, he would go on to attend Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) as well as Mass College of Art. He would hold various jobs which allowed him to integrate and expand his creativity such as creating window displays for retail establishments like Filene’s in Downtown Boston and Sears and Roebuck in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He met his beloved wife at a dance in Boston and they were soon married at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Massachusetts on June 28th, 1964. John wore a white tuxedo and his bride, Edith a tea-length gown and the beautiful couple would spend 56 wonderful, happy years together. They had two children, Judith Dauphinee, and Jean Dauphinee and one grandchild, Keegan Jack Dauphinee-Bacheller whose middle name is in honor of his “G-Pa” John who went by Jack to all who knew and loved him.

John’s faith led him to try to be as supportive to people as he possibly could be, helping them through their trials and their suffering. He was a union negotiator for the SEU of Harvard Pilgrim (Boston) where he worked to support and help his fellow workers when they needed him. John belonged to the parish of Christ Church in Cambridge for three decades and during his time as a parishioner at Christ Church, he became a Eucharistic minister. He spent much of his time visiting parishioners in the hospital, provided transport to those unable to get themselves to church, and was also a trained hospice worker. He was especially sensitive to those suffering the ravages of HIV and AIDS and would go out his way, without fear or prejudice, to provide comfort and aid–a meal, groceries, a ride to the doctor. John was always willing to do whatever it took to help someone in need. John’s dedication to those in need was one of his many remarkable attributes and he was the kind of person that would cross a busy street to help someone who needed help on the other side. He was, as Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) has said, one of “the helpers” in this world.

John was a voracious reader and enjoyed the pursuit of personal and spiritual enlightenment seeking guidance from Carl Jung, Frederick Buechner, Thomas Moore, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, and others finding inspiration in writings centered in spirituality, philosophy, theology, and sociology. He enjoyed collecting meaningful quotes which he would often read through and send to others when he felt the time was right. After both he and Edith retired and moved to Exeter, New Hampshire where they lived for fifteen years, he joined the Christ Church parish of Exeter where he volunteered his time extensively with the homeless families sponsored by Christ Church and served as an usher and Eucharistic minister. He was a member of “The Dawn Patrol” which would gather weekly to discuss scripture presented at Christ Church. He also belonged to Christ Church’s organ committee where he assisted in the selection of a new organ for the church which he took immeasurable pleasure and pride in.

In 2015 Jonn and Edith moved to Seattle, Washington to be closer to their daughter Judith and her family. Soon thereafter his daughter Jean and her husband Mohsen Yousefi also moved to Seattle to complete the family. There John enjoyed many wonderful years spending time with his family, watching his grandson play basketball, shared special times during the holidays, and never missed an opportunity to celebrate a birthday which always included cake.

After many courageous years living with Alzheimer’s, he succumbed to the disease peacefully on September 12th, 2019 leaving his beloved family; Edith, his wife, his daughters Judith and Jean, his grandson Keegan-Jack and son-in-law’s Damon Bacheller and Mohsen Yousefi. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, John McPhee, sister-in-law Kathy Melanson and brother-in-law Joe Melanson of Peabody, Massachusetts, and brother-in-law Richard Fret of Fort Meyers, Florida, and many much-loved nieces and nephews. He also leaves cousins Marjorie Jaynes of Massachusetts and Millie Janes of Florida.

There was never a day in which John didn’t know he was surrounded by love, and he always gave his love away freely to anyone who needed it. The world is a better place because of John Vincent Dauphinee.

A service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in NE Seattle on Saturday, October 12th, 2019 at 11:00 am. Remembrances in John’s name may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 or at joslin.org.