John M. Powers

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee John M. Powers on September 8, 2022. He was 68.

John was born in Wareham, Mass., and was the son of Frances R. (McGillis) and Lieutenant Galen P. Powers. He spent his first 10 years moving between the East and West coasts because his father was a flight officer in the US Navy. When his father was killed in a Navy jet crash in 1964, his family returned to Falmouth.

Growing up in Quissett, his childhood included bike riding, fishing at Oyster Pond, caddying on the greens at Woods Hole Golf Club, and working at The Clam Shack with his best friend, Jimmy Limberakis.

After he graduated from Lawrence High School in 1971, John attended Salem State College, where he met the woman he would marry. After several years of work and life in the Boston area, the couple moved back to Cape Cod.

John began working at WHOI as a buyer in the purchasing group in 1984.  In 1986, he was promoted to buyer II and in 1988, a senior buyer.  He left in 1993.  After working at WHOI, he accepted a position at Sager Electronics. He retired in 2021 as a regional product manager, after 28 years with the electronics company.

A golfer, he was a member of the Falcon Golf Club at Joint Base Cape Cod. John received his captain’s license in 2010. He loved being out on the ocean, fishing and boating, and shellfishing in Waquoit Bay. He was meticulous about landscaping his yard and the health of his lawn. He also was a fan of Liverpool Soccer and The Rolling Stones.

John was the husband of Debra Johnson Powers. Besides his wife, he leaves his daughters, Abigail Powers and Laura Powers; his five siblings; many nieces and nephews; and other family.

He was predeceased by his mother in addition to his father.

Services are private.

A celebration of his life is planned for spring 2023 at Woods Hole Golf Club.

Information for this obituary is from the Falmouth Enterprise