John George Pack, a longtime resident of Reading, Massachusetts, died on January 18, 2015, at his home in Santa Rosa, California, at the age of 89.

He was born May 5, 1925, in Westfield, Massachusetts, to Leon M. Pack and Eva (Zien) Pack. Raised and educated in Westfield, at age 18 John enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in two major military campaigns – Mid-Pac and Air Offensive Japan – before being honorably discharged in 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Inorganic Chemistry at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and completed his graduate studies in Inorganic Chemistry at Tufts College in Medford in 1954. He began his career as a radiochemist at Tracerlab in Boston, and worked on the first atomic submarine Nautilus. He then joined Technical Operations, Incorporated, to do classified research in high-resolution aerial photography. He holds 11 patents and grew the first single crystal of cerium hydride, which is held by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. After 13 years of applied research in metal extraction, he joined Commercial Union Assurance Company to manage their industrial hygiene and risk management laboratory in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was widely praised for his ability to solve complex problems, and was asked to chair the Chemical and Engineering Science Committee of the American Insurance Association.

In 1961, John married Elizabeth "Bette" Kudriavetz, a native of Springfield, Vermont and settled in Reading. He was active in the First Congregational Church, serving on the By-Laws and Music Committees. In 2013, he moved to Santa Rosa, California to be closer to his son and family.

He was predeceased by wife, and his brothers Charles "Bill" Pack of Westfield, Massachusetts, and Edward L. Pack of Saratoga, California.

He is survived by his son Chris Pack and daughter-in-law Mary Pack of Santa Rosa, California, and their children Sarah and Samuel.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, from 4-8 pm at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) in Reading. Burial with military honors will be held at Forest Glen Cemetery, Forest Glen Rd., Reading on Saturday, February 7, at 10am followed by a memorial service celebrating his life at the First Congregational Church 25 Woburn St. Reading at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in John's memory to the American International College, 100 State St., Springfield, MA 01109 or the First Congregational Church 25 Woburn St., Reading, MA 01867. For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com