Westborough – John R. “Jack” Hero, 90, of Westborough, died suddenly on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at home. He was the loving husband of Shirley H. (Pickering) Hero for 68 years.
Born in Westborough, he was the son of the late John H. and Vivian (Boutilier) Hero. He was educated in Westborough schools and graduated from Westborough High School in 1939. He also graduated from the New England Aircraft School and from Boston University.
During WW II he served with the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class.
John was the president and founder of Dover Instrument Corp. in Westborough. He founded Dover Instrument in 1963 in Waltham, growing the company from a three-man startup to a global leader in the field of air bearing technology-based precision manufacturing. John moved the company to Westborough in 1979, eventually employing over 150 people, many from the town of Westborough and surrounding towns. None of this would have been possible without the constant support of his loving wife, Shirley.
John was an active member of the Congregational Church of Westborough, a member of Siloam Lodge AF & AM, the Westborough Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, a charter member of the Central Massachusetts Model T Club, the Model A Ford Club of America, the United Way of Westborough, and the Men's Lunch Bunch. Being the eternal optimist, he was always looking forward to his next antique car trip – destination unknown.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Susan C. Kinnell and her husband, Jeffrey, of E. Lyme, Conn.; six sons, John R. Hero Jr., and his wife, Jane Whitney, of Brooklin, Maine; David V. Hero and his wife, Paula, of Westborough; Stephen L. Hero and his wife, Marilyn, of Lakeview, Ohio; Alan W. Hero and his wife, Pamela, of Brewster, Scott R. Hero and his wife, Lorrie of Orleans, and Jeffrey B. Hero of Minneapolis, Minn., along with three sisters, Virginia L. Peet of Pennsylvania, Nancy J. Hanselman of Pennsylvania and Joan V. Hadlock of New York; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Congregational Church of Westborough, West Main St., Westborough. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery will be private. There are no calling hours.
Donations in his memory may be made to: HOME, P.O. Box 10, Orland, ME 04472.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.
