East Lyme - John Joseph Herbert passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at home.John was born on Nov. 30, 1927, in Malden Massachusetts, the son of John J. Herbert and Marie Barthelmus. John married Ellen (Tanner) Herbert at St. Agnes Church, in Reading, Mass., on Oct. 10, 1953. Ellen predeceased John in May, 2004.Jack, as he was known to his family and many friends, graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1945, and was later elected into the Sports Hall of Fame at Malden Catholic in 1998. He entered the College of the Holy Cross in 1945, however, he chose to answer the call of service to his country, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing electrician's school at the Naval Air Base in Little Creek, Va., Jack served for two years as fireman first class.Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Jack returned to complete his college education and graduated from Holy Cross in 1952. Jack was employed by General Motors Acceptance Corporation for 35 years, serving in Manchester, N.H. and Boston, Mass., and was a traveling auditor before being named manager of the New London branch in 1973. Jack enjoyed many years of employment in the Pro Shop at Cedar Ridge Golf Course, where he made many friends, and worked on his handicap. He was a staunch fan of both the Red Sox and UConn women's basketball. John is survived by his four children, Marie (Herbert) Boyd of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Michael Herbert and his wife, Debora, of Mansfield, Mass., Patricia (Herbert) Frick and her husband, Roger, of Orange, Calif., and John Herbert of Malden, Mass. John was the loving grandfather of Anne Boyd, and Christopher and Timothy Herbert. He is also survived by his brothers, Paul Herbert of Malden, Mass., Thomas Herbert, of Waltham, Mass; and sister, Eileen (Herbert) Hugo of Stoneham, Mass. John is also survived by many nephews and nieces including, James, Daniel, Maryellen, Deidre, William and Jane Ahearn, Charles, Jane, John, Amy, Barbara and Colleen Hugo, and Sean Herbert.John was a loving husband and a most dedicated and devoted father and grandfather, as well as a loving and supportive brother and uncle. He was deeply loved and respected by his family and will be sorely missed.Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. The funeral procession will assemble at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, from the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Church, Haigh Ave., Niantic. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Broad St., New London.To send the family an online condolence or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com