FRANKLIN - John P. Ball, 85, of Golden Crest Assisted Living, 29 Baldwin St., formerly of 10 Oak St., Belmont, died surrounded by his loving family Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.

Mr. Ball was born Dec. 8, 1923, in Worcester, Mass., the son of the late Allison P. and Agnes M. (Oldroyd) Ball.

Mr. Ball served in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Ball was a graduate of Classical High School in Worcester, Mass., State University of New York in Cortland, N.Y., the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., and Boston University. He was a teacher at the Montverde School in Montverde, Fla., and at Franklin High School. He was vice principal at Algonquin Regional High School in Northboro, Mass.; principal at Farmington High School and at Apponoquet Regional High School in Lakeville, Mass.; assistant superintendent of the Portsmouth School District, the Northhampton, Mass., School District, the Epping, Chester, Fremont and Newmarket school districts, the Greenland, Rye, New Castle and Newington school districts and the Laconia, Gilford and Gilmanton school districts; and superintendent of the Laconia, Gilford and Gilmanton school districts, the Greenland, Rye, New Castle and Newington school districts and the Newmarket School District. He retired in 1988.

Mr. Ball was a member and past president of the Lakes Region Retired Educators. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club, a former trustee of the Laconia library and a former member and past president of the SAU 14 Teachers Association.

Mr. Ball was a trustee of the Bristol Federated Church, a member of the Gilmanton Community Church, a moderator at the Epping Federated Church, a trustee at the Center Harbor Congregational Church and a member of the Gilford Community Church.

In his retirement, John became an accomplished rug hooker, wood carver and woodworker. His memory will live on in all of the handmade gifts that he made for his family.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Margaret R. (Powell) Ball of Franklin; four sons, Robert D. Ball and his wife, Barbara, of Yorktown Va., Reed A. Ball and his companion, Sally Johnson, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Roy A. Ball of Manchester and Richard G. Ball and his wife, Judy, of Laconia; a daughter, Roslyn B. Roy, and her husband, Kevin, of Gilford; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ball was predeceased by two brothers, David and Warren, and one nephew, Johnny.

Calling hours will be held today from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance. A memorial service will follow at 3, also at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Raymond C. Wixson Memorial Garden, Gilford, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford 03247.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.