John R. Baraniak

John R. Baraniak of Manchester, NH, died October 3, 2018, with his children at his side.

Born in Manchester, NH, on May 22, 1928, he was the son of George and Mary H. (Drociak) Baraniak. He was a lifelong resident of the city and a summer resident of Rye, NH. A special pleasure was having his family gather at the beach every year.

John was a graduate of St. Joseph High School for Boys, Class of 1946, where he was class president and captain of the football team. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross, graduating with honors in 1950. He highly valued his Jesuit education. He went on to receive a master's in economics from the University of New Hampshire where he served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Economics.

John was commissioned an officer in the U. S. Marine Corps. Upon discharge, he joined a Marine Corps Reserve unit headquartered in Manchester where he served as executive officer with the rank of captain.

John married Eleanor Cunningham of Manchester on June 26, 1954, and took great joy in their sixty years together until her passing in 2014.

He began his career with the R. P. Burroughs Co., and held various management positions with a number of technology firms including Van Norman Industries, Transitron, Raytheon and Sanders. His last business association was with Northrop Grumman Corporation from which he retired as vice president after 26 years of service.

Following his retirement, he was appointed to the Arbitration Panel of the American Arbitration Association in 1994 and served as an arbitrator in several labor disputes. In 1998 he was appointed to the New Hampshire Labor Relations Board.

Most of John's career was spent in the Greater Boston area, leading to his active participation in the city's civic organizations. He was instrumental in the founding of the Boston Museum of Science Business Associate Program and was active in the Business Council of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Concurrent with his business career, John had associations with the University of New Hampshire and St. Anselm College over a span of 25 years, teaching management and labor courses as an adjunct professor.

With close friends, John founded Mayflower Stables where he indulged his passion for raising and racing thoroughbred horses. He was also an avid tennis player.

Above and beyond his career and other professional pursuits, John put family first and took immense pride in the accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren.

John was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

He was predeceased earlier this year by his two sisters, Helen P. and Frances B. Baraniak.

Family members include his four children, Kristin A. O'Brien and her husband, George, of Manchester, NH, Karen A. DiMartino and her husband, Richard, of Westwood, MA, Kyle A. Nanna and her husband, Wayne, of Westwood, MA and John R. Baraniak, Jr. of Boston, MA. John had keen interest in his family's next generation. His nine grandchildren, with whom he generously shared Red Sox tickets, political insights, and lawn tips, include Tyler O'Brien and his wife, Kara, of Wellesley, MA, Christopher R. O'Brien and his wife, Emily, of North Hampton, NH, Jessica (Stanley) DiMartino and her husband, Zachary, of Westwood, MA, Andrew DiMartino and his wife, Lindsey, of Medford, MA, Erin Nanna of Brookline, MA, Dylan Nanna of Boston, MA, Patrick Nanna, of Charlestown, MA, Casey Nanna, of Westwood, MA and Gabriel Puglisi of Boston, MA.

Just two weeks ago John met and held his second great grandchild, Eleanor Rye Stanley, who is the new little sister of Reed Aikens Stanley, both the apples of his eyes. He looked forward to the birth of another great grandson at year's end. John also leaves several cousins on the west coast as well as close neighbors and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 267 Webster St., Manchester, NH. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Road, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name may be made to the Holy Cross Fund, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610. Attention: Office of Advancement.

Most sincere thanks to the doctors, physician assistants and to nurse Vicki of the Elliot Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their expertise, care and exceptional kindness.