BROWNFIELD — Irving D. Potter Jr., 87, of Brownfield, died Sept. 19, 2011 with his loving family at his side. He was born June 1, 1924, in Brockton, Massachusetts, to Irving and Beatrice (Dahlberg) Potter. He graduated from Quincy High School and went on to serve in the United States Navy and the Marine Corps as a corpsman in World War II, where he was awarded a purple heart and bronze star for his bravery at Iwo Jima.

After returning from the war and marrying Janet Sullivan, Irving took advantage of an apprenticeship program for veterans which began his long career as a master electrician. He continued his education at Coyne Electric in Boston and eventually started his own electrical contracting firm on the south shore in the Boston area. During this time Irving was active as a civic and business leader in the Rotary Club, the Viking Club, the Masons, the Shriners, Massachusetts Electrical Contractors Association, and served as trustee for Quincy Point Congregational Church, Braintree Savings Bank and South Shore Bank. He was instrumental in working with his church, Quincy Point Congregational, to build and serve on the board of the 1000 Southern Artery senior housing center in Quincy.

Irving always enjoyed nature, the outdoors and hunting trips with his friends and family, and in 1980, moved to his farm in Brownfield. In retirement, he continued to serve his community as a selectman in Brownfield for many years and as a board member of the Brownfield Public Library.
Irving was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wallace Potter. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet (Sullivan) Potter of Brownfield; his sister, Priscilla (Potter) Peterson of Pennsylvania; son, Robert Potter and his wife, Lauren of Brownfield; daughter, Janet (Potter) Quinn and husband, Bill of Brownfield; son, Richard Potter and daughter, Christine (Potter) Popowitz and husband, Stanley from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Taryn Potter O’Connell, Derek Potter, Ryan Potter, Keith Quinn and Kerrin Quinn and great-grandchildren, Emery, Camryn and Noah O’Connell.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date for family to honor and celebrate his life of service and loving devotion to his country and family. In lieu of flowers, please remember him in your prayers. The Furber and White Funeral Home in North Conway is in charge of arrangements.