John P Bretherton Jr.

John Pierce Bretherton Jr. entered eternal rest on 07/19/2013 after many months of illness. The son of Marian and John P. Bretherton was born in Philadelphia April 21, 1925. He earned the Order of the Arrow as a boy scout. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and served with distinction as an electrician first on the Jensen in the Atlantic Theater and later on the Hospital ship, Haven, in the Pacific Theater. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1951 where he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, played varsity soccer for four years and was the captain in his senior year. Jack had a varied career, and he was most proud of his work as a master carpenter in Avalon, New Jersey. He became a Mason. He and his late wife, Ann C. Bretherton, were among the first residents of the life care facility, Bishop Gadsden in Charleston. Each served on many resident committees over the years of their residency. Jack was honored and happy to serve as a docent for the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier after he moved to Charleston. He is survived by his Brother, William Bretherton, of Big Canoe, Georgia, and his three step children: Richard C Dale Jr and his wife, Martha, of New Haven, Ct.; Ann C.S. MaGuire of Philadelphia; and Thomas F. Dale and his wife, Dorothy, of Calloway, New Jersey. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard and his fiancée Zia, Geoffrey and his wife Catrina, Rebecca, Robert Dale, and also by Kirk, Michael, and Jonathan MaGuire and by several Bretherton nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Bishop Gadsden.