John McCallister ... ex-ice racing association chief; at 82

MILTON - John McCallister 82, of Milton, died on April 23, 2023. John was born in Rochester to Donald and Jeanette McCallister on June 8, 1940. He graduated from Spaulding High School. He married Simonne Vigneault on July 9, 1966, at St. Mary's Church in Rochester. John worked as a machinist and later as an inspector for nuclear submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 26 years. He was a veteran of the Air force.

John was a past president and lifelong member of the New England Ice Racing Association. He proudly raced #145 Ice in the modified division. He raced several years at Lee, Star and Dover Speedway. John and Simonne traveled to racetracks and car shows in their free time. He has been restoring a 1932 Ford and would talk cars with anyone that would listen.

Another passion was history. John was a founding member of the Milton Historical Society in 1976. He would gladly share his knowledge of local history. He collected old local postcards and talked about the ice harvesting on Milton Three Ponds.

John is predeceased by his parents and his sister Nancy McVicar.

John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Simonne; children Susan and Brian Ignatowski of Burlington, Conn., Sharon and Jeff Copp of Rochester; and Steve McCallister of Milton; Grandchildren Sheyna McCallister, Mariah McCallister, Nikki Ignatowski, and Justin Ignatowski. Niece Karen and Mark Wheeler.