John M. Sherwin

Dr. John M. Sherwin, 74, of Manchester, died February 11, 2004, of cancer at home in the loving company of his family.

Born on July 2, 1929, in White Plains, NY, he was the son of Martin H. and Barbara (Laimbeer) Sherwin. He was raised in Scarsdale, NY, graduating from high school there in 1947, and later graduating from Colgate University in 1951. He attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

In 1951 he joined the United States Marine Corps, and after infantry training at Quantico Marine Base, VA, during the Korean War, he was sent to the Naval Aviation Training Command at Pensacola, FL. After winning his Navy wings he was assigned to the Marine Attack Squadron VMA-331 and spent the next few years flying from several aircraft carriers. He was honorably discharged in 1956 with the rank of Captain in order to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor of medicine.

He earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, in 1960. He served internships and residencies at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, Newington Hospital for Crippled Children, Newington, CT, and Yale New Haven Medical Center, New Haven, CT.

In 1965 he joined the staff at Elliot Hospital and opened his own orthopaedic practice. In 1969 he was joined by Richard Hockman, M.D., and later by M. Dennis Wachs, M.D.Together they founded New Hampshire Orthopaedic Surgery, PA which now consists of nine physicians with main offices in Manchester.

Dr. Sherwin has authored many articles in various medical journals. He has presented and lectured at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, various smaller educational forums, and internationally at the Kenyan-American Orthopaedic Conference, Nairobi, Kenya. He performed the state's first total hip replacement at Elliot Hospital and holds a US patent for the Sherwin Knee Retractor.

He had been active in the medical political arena in the New Hampshire Medical Society, serving as President in 1982, and on its executive committee for 24 years. He was a charter member of the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Society. He served as a delegate and alternate to the American Medical Association from 1985 to 1995. He also served on the Board of Directors of Elliot Health Systems. In 2002 he became the third recipient of the New Hampshire Medical Society's Josiah Bartlett Award for service to medicine and the public. He was most recently awarded the 2003 William S. Green Award for Excellence at the Elliot Health System Annual Meeting.

For many years he owned his own aircraft and along with his wife traveled all over the United States and to vacations in the Bahamas and in Canada. Flying in all seasons and all kinds of weather was a passion for him.

Family members include his wife of 52 years, Marjorie (Richardson) Sherwin of Manchester; his three children, Elizabeth Akerman of Mansfield, MA, Jane M. Sherwin, RN and her twin brother, James M. Sherwin, both of Manchester; two grandchildren, John M. Sherwin II and Jessica M. Sherwin of Manchester; two sisters, Sydney Mellinger of Marco Island, FL, and Joan Halkyard of Isle of Palms, SC; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Funeral was Monday, February 16, 2004 at Brookside Congregational Church, 2013 Elm Street, Manchester. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made in his name to the Manchester Animal Shelter, 490 Dunbarton Road, Manchester, NH, 03102.