John Ford Peckham ’40

John died Dec. 6, 2004, at Duncaster's Caleb Hitchcock Health Center in Bloomfield, Conn.

He graduated from Torrington [Conn.] High School, where he was on the publications boards and active in dramatics. At Princeton, he majored in classics and graduated with honors. John was on the freshman crew, was lacrosse manager, and was a member of Key and Seal Club.

From 1940-41, he worked for Princeton University Press. During World War II, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Africa and Italy as a first lieutenant. He was recalled to active duty in 1951-52 during the Korean War at Fort Belvoir and Fort Leonard Wood.

The Meriden Gravure Co., printer of books and illustrations, was John's professional home beginning in 1941; he became president in 1975. Among many community activities, John was president of the Bradley Home and Easter Seals of Central Connecticut, was a board member of the Boys' Club, Curtis Memorial Library, and Meriden-Wallingford Hospital, and was a Rotarian. He also was a trustee of Princeton University Press.

To his wife of 56 years, Eleanor Mary Wolfenden; his daughter, Ann P. Barrentine; son and daughter-in-law, James W. and Nan P.; sister, Barbara P. Hayes; and his two grandchildren, his classmates express their sincere condolences.

The Class of 1940