John Philip Ham

Biography

HOLDEN - John Philip Ham 95, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Born and raised in Worcester, Phil was the son of Rufus and Anna (LeClair) Ham and lived over 40 years in Holden. His beloved wife of 65 years, Beverly F. (Baer) Ham died in 2011.Phil was a graduate of North High School, class of 1940.  He enlisted into the United States Navy  in 1942 and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II. The Navy also afforded him the opportunity to attend both the University of Michigan and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After being honorably discharged in 1946, Phil went back to school and attended Wentworth Institute in Boston.  He worked several years for Milton Thompson Builders before starting his own business, J.P. Ham Builders in Holden.  He later retired in 1979 from Bozenhard Company in Worcester as their general manager.He was civically minded and was the clerk of the works for both Wachusett Regional High School addition in 1979, and the YMCA renovations in Worcester.  He served the Town of Holden as an assessor.  He was a member of the John E. Harkins American Legion Post #42 in Holden and a former member of the Shrewsbury Rotary Club.Phil's favorite pastime was sailing.  He enjoyed sailing with his family on Long Island Sound and off the coast of Maine.  He was a master craftsman and is remembered for the 27' Friendship sloop sailboat he built from scratch over a 10-year period and proudly names "Calypso". Phil and Beverly spent 23 of their retirement years in St. Augustine, Florida, where they made many new friends and enjoyed being Floridians.  Phil was a no nonsense kind of guy that was easy to talk to, always practical, with a virtuous and endless wealth of common sense.He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his three sons, John P. Ham Jr. and his wife Ruth of Midland, Michigan, Dana C. Ham of Livingston, Montana and Jeffrey P. Ham ad his wife, Catherine of Rutland; three daughters, Judith A. Perry and her husband, Allen of Holden, Deborah J. Ham of Holden and Jennifer M. Gifford of Temple, New Hampshire; 14 cherished grandchildren,; 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; and many nephews and nieces.  Besides his wife and parents, Phil is predeceased by his grandson, Joshua Perry who died in 2008 and two sisters, Ruth Wilmot and Arlene Rozanski.Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Phil's family from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, December 28, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 29, at St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson.  Interment will be held privately at the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of donors choice. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" on this page.