John Nephew Obituary, Death – On May 12th, John Weir Nephew died in Pine Harbour Assisted Living, surrounded by loving family and committed Pine Harbour caregivers and friends. John was born in Plattsburgh, New York on December 15, 1937. His mother, Katheryn M. Weir, father, Charles T. Nephew Sr., brother, Dr. Charles T. Nephew Jr., niece, Tia A. Ayres, and brother-in-law, Denis J. Chasse predeceased him.
John worked as a Colony Liquor representative for 40 years and won numerous sales honors. He attended St. John’s School, LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY, and St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont, where he earned an Honors degree in English. He also attended Albany Law School until his mother’s death in 1961, when he returned to Plattsburgh to help with the family businesses. John was a member of the Elks Club and served in the Army Reserves.
John was always a hardworking young guy. He began as a paperboy at the age of nine and sang at funerals and weddings. He also played drums at St. John’s Academy, piano under the tutelage of his teacher, Al Delano, and sang in the quartet at Le Moyne College. When he finished law school, he went to work for the family enterprises, American Oil Company, Nephew’s Liquor Store in downtown Plattsburgh, and local gas stations.
However, John has always considered his greatest achievement to be the completion of his children’s graduations and the development of their flourishing lives. John will be remembered for his unmistakable sense of humor, his generous giving to everyone he cared about, his musicianship, and his many long-lasting friendships.
His devoted sister, Katheryn N. Chasse of Falmouth, MA, his son, Matthew C. Nephew (Shannon) of Plattsburgh, NY, his daughter, Sara Kirby (Pat) of Montpelier, VT, and his son, Benjamin Nephew (Stephanie) of Westborough, MA survive him. He is survived by several grandchildren, including Christopher and Barrett Miller, Margaret and Caroline Kirby, Gavin, and Aiden Nephew.
He is also survived by one niece, Marni MacPhail of Carver, MA, one nephew, Daniel Nephew (Maureen) of Needham, one sister-in-law, Alice Hoffman of Aiken, SC, and several great nieces and nephews, including Maxwell MacPhail, Tatum Wilson, Jacob Wilkson, Logan Drumm, and Julia Nephew.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the excellent staff at Pine Harbour Assisted Living for their incredible care and companionship over the last many years, as well as the comfort and love that both they and Hospice of the North Country provided in his final days. Donations in lieu of flowers may be donated to Hospice of the North Country and/or Pine Harbour Assisted Living.
