John (Jack) W. Milan, Jr.

John W. (Jack) Milan, Jr., 44, resident of Claremont, NH, formerly of Canaan, NH, lost his heroic battle with Cancer on February 1, 2008.�He died at the Valley Regional Hospital encircled by loving family.�Jack was born in Methuen, MA and resided with his parents, John and Mary Clare (Hickey) Milan in North Andover, Wilbraham and Walpole, MA before moving to Amherst, NH in 1973. � Jack chose to spend his life caring for others.�His high school sophomore and junior summers were dedicated to working at a camp for handicapped people at Lake Ossipee, NH.�In his senior year he earned his Emergency Medical Technician Certificate and joined the Amherst, NH Rescue Squad where he continued to volunteer for several years. �Also while in high school he learned American Sign Language so that he could communicate with a close friend. � After graduating from Milford Area Senior High School in 1982, Jack accepted a position on the Berlin Ambulance Service.�He then was employed by the American Red Cross as a CPR Instructor.�Also during this time he attended UNH at the Manchester Campus taking classes in ASL and studying toward being an Interpreter for the Deaf.�Throughout his life Jack periodically worked nights and weekends with the elderly in Nursing Homes where his services were greatly valued by the residents.�He worked as a Licensed Nursing Assistant at Yale New Haven Hospital while earning his Surgical Technician Certificate.�Jack also was employed as an LNA by Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and finally at New London Hospital. � Jack cherished all of his family, especially his children whom he loved fiercely.�Many wonderful times were shared together, just not enough years.�Jack was generous, kind, and a loyal friend.�He surrounded himself with living things; his home was filled with plants, flowers, birds, fish and other pets.�He loved nature, skiing, family get togethers, and the holidays.�Jack was a casual kind of guy, typically wearing jeans, a button down shirt, sometimes a sweater, if the occasion called for it, and always his quiet grin. � � � � � � � Jack was predeceased by his twin sister, Kathleen, and by Grandparents on both sides of the family.�He is survived by his two children, John W. Milan III and Margaret Ruth Milan of Claremont, NH; his parents, John and Mary Clare Milan of Amherst, NH; a sister, Beth Tillotson of Whitefield, NH, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, dedicated friends, and his former wife, Sharon Snow. � There are no calling hours.�A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 9th at 12:00 pm in Saint Patrick's Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH.�Burial will be in Meadowview Cemetery, Amherst, in the spring.�In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jack's name to SHARE Outreach Program, P.O. Box 27, Milford, NH 03055, or to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH�03756.�Arrangements are being handled by the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford.���