John Joseph Noga

Greenfield, Massachusetts
John Joseph Noga, 87, a resident of 153 Silver Street, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, September 22, 2014 following a period of declining health.
He was born on March 28, 1927 in the Millers Falls, MA to Stanislaus P. and Rozalia (Curyllo) Noga.   John was educated in Montague Public Schools.  As a member of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the USN prior to his graduation from high school and served honorably from December 1944 to July
1946. He served aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) an aircraft carrier and attained the rate of Seaman Second Class.  He was among the members of the original commissioned crew and was awarded the American Theatre Medal and WWII Victory Medal. 
Upon his return to civilian life, John completed his education and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Turners Falls High School.  Shortly thereafter, he entered Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY as an undergraduate student with a focus in Dentistry.  He soon found that this was not his niche and returned home to seek employment. John then answered a second call from his country for military service and enlisted in the USAF in December 1949 serving in the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge in November 1953.  He attained the rank of S/Sgt., and served with the 6097^th Medical Squadron.  He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. 
Upon his return from military service, John sought and obtained a position with New England Telephone and Telegraph (as they were known at that time) and worked as a Tool Testing Technician & Circuit Order writer for 33 years until his retirement. John was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) Association and of the Coutu-Murphy VFW Post #2827 of Millers Falls, MA, where he had served as the post Chaplain for many years.  A devout Catholic, John was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield, MA.
John was a landscaping enthusiast and enjoyed working in the yard.  His other hobbies included cooking and hunting. 
He married the love of his life, the former Marie A. Powers, on September 7, 1957 in Holy Trinity Church, Greenfield, MA.  They recently celebrated their 57^th wedding anniversary.  Survivors in addition to his loving wife include their devoted daughters:  Martha J. (Noga) Smith and her husband Charles, of Greenfield, MA and Anne M. Noga of Salem, MA.  John is lovingly remembered by his granddaughter Elizabeth A. Smith (who was the apple of his eye!) as well as his sister, Mary (Noga) Whitten of Boynton Beach, FL.  Additionally, there are several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.  John is remembered with great affection, by his lifelong friend, classmate and Navy buddy, Eddie Bourbeau, of Stuart, FL and formerly of Montague, MA.  He was predeceased by his parents, as well as by his brother Henry T. Noga, Sr.
Funeral services will be observed on Saturday, September 27, 2014 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM from Blessed Sacrament Church, 221 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA. Rev. Fr. Timothy J. Campoli, Pastor will be the celebrant, assisted by Msgr. Ronald G. Yargeau, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church. Guests are asked to convene directly at the church on the morning of the services.
Rites of committal and burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA with full military honors to be observed.  Members of the Elite Patriot Honor Guard of the USAF / Westover AFB in attendance, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295, South Deerfield, MA who will provide a firing detail.
John’s family will receive guests during visiting hours on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 36 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA.   Expressions of affection are encouraged in the form of a charitable contributions in John’s memory to Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 High Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 or to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.  Due to floral sensitivity issues, John’s family respectfully requests that flowers be omitted. 
 
 

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