Gould John J, 86 of Everett and Chatham, MA. Died peacefully on July 30, 2016 in New Hampshire. He was married to the late Mary Christine (Houlihan) Gould for more than 55 years until her passing in 2014. Brother to Frank Gould of Stoneham, MA and the late James and Mary Gould, both of Everett. Father to Michael Gould of Long Valley, NJ and Eileen Costa of Plaistow, NH, he has six beloved grandchildren, Emily, Andrew, Jessica, Jennifer, Hannah and Charlie and many dear nephews and nieces.
John served the country as a crypto analyst breaking Soviet codes in the US Air Force during the Korean War. His first job out of the service was as a reporter with the Boston Herald Traveler where he wrote about the sinking of the Andrea Doria and the Boston Strangler case, among other subjects. He then briefly joined the staff at Associated Industries of Massachusetts, where, in 1964, when President Lyndon Johnson needed help in Massachusetts for his election campaign, and learned that John had the knowledge and skill to assist, he called John to come to Washington and asked for his help with Presidential visits in the state, and also for any input that would be of help. John worked closely with the President and the White House Staff as an advisor during the 1964 election.
He then joined Shawmut bank and eventually rose to become Senior Vice President for Government and Investor Relations.
At Shawmut, he was involved in external affairs, representing the bank before civic and business groups. At the same time, he was Secretary to the Coordinating Committee of Boston (The Vault), which was comprised of the top 25 CEO's in the city. The vault's mission was to improve the economic stability of Boston and the quality of life for its residents. Among other things, it was responsible for assisting in the major building programs during the Collins Administration.
His influence was well known on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill in DC, and he had the respect of the congressional delegation and the Speaker, as well as the Leadership on Beacon Hill. He fought hard for the voice of the business community to be heard by our lawmakers.
In 1988, John was named CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, a trade association 0f 3000 manufacturers and financial institutions in the Commonwealth. AIM promotes and supports the business community as well as provides financial support for education at all levels within the state.
During his tenure as CEO, the membership of AIM doubled and an insurance subsidiary, AIM Mutual was created. John also served as Chairman of the Boston School Committee while at AIM.
In 1999, He transitioned from AIM to become Chairman of AIM Mutual Insurance until his retirement in 2015.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral from the JF Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett, on Thursday, Aug 4th, at 9 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett, at 10 AM. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5-7 PM. The burial in Chatham, MA will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to Children's Trust, 55 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. For directions and online guestbook please visit jfwardfuneralhome.com