John Naughton, Melbourne

John J. Naughton passed away peacefully on Monday, December 28, 2009. He was born in Morristown, NJ on October 3, 1917, and was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Vene.

He is survived by his three daughters, Nancy (Bill Fletcher) of Melbourne, Bonnie (Loren Vaughn) of Scottsdale, AZ and Peggy (Doug Broyles) of Long mont, CO, as well as nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

John was a graduate of Rutgers University and was employed by Bell Laboratories, Inc. for 45 years prior to his retirement in 1981. After retirement he returned to Melbourne where his family had lived while he was assigned to Cape Canaveral.

At Bell Labs, he began as a mailroom employee and completed his career as Plant Operations Manager. He held various positions in Bell Labs facilities in New York, New Jersey, Cape Canaveral, FL, Kwajalein, Marshall Is lands, and Wales, UK all involving his exceptional skills in organization, management and staff relations. He also served briefly in the United States Army.

During their assignments, John and Vene made many lifelong friends with whom they kept in touch over the years. While assigned to Wales, they had the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe with friends. They also took time to see much of Asia during their stay at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.

While assigned to Cape Canaveral, John participated in the early years of the space program and watched as Alan Sheppard made the first sub-orbital flight and continued through the first orbital flight by John Glenn. He was then transferred to Kwajalein Island where he worked with the Nike X project.

His family, however, was always his first priority. He was a loving, devoted husband to Vene and a very special Dad to his daughters. He was always active in their school lives, and encouraged his girls to be active, independent, open to new people, ideas and adventures and to take ad vantage of opportunities presented to them.

Although his family was spread over the country, John and Vene traveled often to be with children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren making sure all knew they were loved and treasured by them. In addition, they made sure their home was always a place where all family members were welcomed, and were encouraged to return often. He touched our lives in many ways leaving all of us with wonderful memories that will remain forever and love for him that will never go away.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Melbourne at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to Wuesthoff Hospice and Palliative Care at 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940, or to the charity of your choice. www.brownliemaxwell.com.