John Ahern Jr., 69, Was High School Counselor

John J. (Jack) Ahern Jr., 69, of Yarmouthport died on Monday, May 13, at his home of pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Susan Everett Ahern of Yarmouthport.

He was born and grew up in Woburn. He was graduated from St. John's Preparatory School. He attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and Boston College, where he completed his bachelor's degree in philosophy. He went on to Boston University and earned a master's degree in counseling.

Mr. Ahern was the first guidance counselor on the Vineyard, serving as director of guidance for the then-new Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. He embraced the treasures offered by the Island, from enjoying its tranquil beauty to playing timpani with the Vineyard Sinfonietta.

After leaving the Island, Mr. Ahern worked as a test consultant for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. He then relocated to Cape Cod, where he owned several businesses and was, most recently, the genial proprietor of the gift shop at the Red Jacket Beach Motel.

He was an avid yard-sale follower and, until his illness, was a guiding force for the Cape Cod Post-Polio support group.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Elinor Marie Ahern of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; two sons, Thomas Joseph Ahern of Boston and West Falmouth and John Joseph Ahern 3rd of Martha's Vineyard; a stepdaughter, Heather Sandahl of Walpole; a stepson, Robert MacIvor of Olmsted Township, Ohio; a sister, Ann Marie Hampton of South Dennis and Whitehall, N.Y.; a brother, David G. Ahern of South Dennis; eight grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, preceded by a visiting hour from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Bumpy's Path, part of an outdoor education classroom for schoolchildren, c/o Castleton State College, Development Office, Castleton, VT 05735 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 270 Communication Way, Hyannis, MA 02601 or a charity of one's choice. It was Jack's wish that in his memory, you go out of your way to do something nice for someone else today.