John Clark “Jack” Wheatley passed away on December 25, 2021 at the age of 87, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 23, 1934 in Boston, MA the son of the late John Reginald and the late Alma (Clark) Wheatley.
He graduated from Thayer Academy in 1952 and was the President of his Senior Class.
He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1956 as a Music Major. While there, he sang in the Glee Club once performing for President Eisenhower at the White House.
He also earned a Varsity letter in track and field.
He received his Juris Doctor in 1959 from Northwestern University Law School and passed the Massachusetts Bar in 1960.
After passing the Bar, he joined his father at the law firm of Keith, Reed & Wheatley in Brockton, MA. While there he also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County serving under his father from 1961 to 1969.
He served as Chairman of the Planning Board in East Bridgewater MA for many years, was past President of the Brockton Kiwanis Club, and was also active in the Brockton YMCA and the Brockton Hospital. He was a past Chairman of the Fee Arbitration Board of the Massachusetts Bar.
In 1994, he was appointed by Governor William Weld as an Associate District Court Judge and served until 2004. He frequently sat in the Fall River and New Bedford district courts and other district courts in Southeastern Massachusetts. He also served as the Chief of the District Court Appellate Division for the Southeastern Region.
He was a skilled and prolific artist and had many art exhibits at the Providence Art Club. He also enjoyed beekeeping, gardening, was a member of several barbershop groups and was once a Professional Magician.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Priscilla (Lincoln) of Marion, MA, a daughter, Dawn S. Wheatley and her husband Bruce Schaller of Brooklyn, NY, a daughter Elizabeth Wheatley Reynolds and her husband Peter Reynolds of NY, NY and New Marlboro, MA, a son, William L. Wheatley of North Attleboro, MA and a son Nathaniel D. Wheatley of Plymouth, MA as well as eight grandchildren who live in MA, NY and CO.
He is also survived by a sister Betsey Woolf of Peabody, MA and a sister, Susan Carr and her husband Elliot of Brewster, MA.
There will be a memorial service at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion on January 7, 2021 at 10:30 am and the public is invited to attend. In addition, the service will be livestreamed and recorded. The link will be available on funeral home web site. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gleason Family YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham, MA, would be appreciated. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit saundersdwyer.com.
