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<em>John Thomas ‘Jack’ Poirier</em>, the son of Dorothy Sullivan and George Nelson Poirier, was born on Easter Sunday, April 16 1933, in Rochester, NY. His early childhood was filled with academics—which came easily to Jack—valor, adventure, and love. He took these values with him when he entered Thomas Aquinas High School, where Jack learned the value of academics, athletics and comradery, which would be his guiding principles throughout his life. At the age of 17, Jack graduated from Thomas Aquinas and entered Holy Cross College, where he mastered Spanish and German. This served him well during his next milestone, the United States Military Academy. Jack joined the Class of 1955 and was sworn in on July 5, 1951.</p>
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Academics were never an obstacle for Jack. Being fluent in both German and Spanish allowed him to assist others. He also took up boxing and participated in both the Golf and Ski Clubs. Flirty and the red boy claimed much of his time, but he never was too occupied to give the goats a helping hand. By combining both his natural flair for academics and his versatility in athletics, John graduated from West Point in the top third of his class and selected the Air Force as his service of choice. Early in his Air Force career he was selected to attend Harvard University, where he obtained his master’s degree in political science in 1960. This served him and the Air Force well as he joined the staff and faculty at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in 1961 and again after a tour in Vietnam in 1967.</p>
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His military training and commitment to country culminated in his combat assignment to Vietnam, during which he was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and 16 Air Medals.</p>
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Back at the Air Force Academy, Jack was assigned as an instructor in political science and also was the Academy’s first Judo coach. The Air Force cadets marveled at Colonel Poirier’s knowledge of the “now” and his vision of the future.</p>
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His work at the Air Force Academy was followed with an assignment as commander of Shepard Air Force Base, Whichita Falls, TX; attendance at the Air War College, Montgomery, AL; and, in 1980, appointment as the defense attaché in Caracas, Venezuela as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. His retirement followed in 1985.</p>
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Jack retired as a full colonel, lived life, loved travel and fine food, and enjoyed the wonder of Disneyland. Jack was of great assistance to his class and was an active participant in the first mini reunion of the Class of 1955, held in Colorado Springs. As the consummate host, Jack entertained with flair and often quoted from Rudyard Kipling. He was an avid reader, loved fiction, fantasy, and history; by some accounts he read over 10,000 books. Jack lived by a code of honor, and every year he orchestrated annual 4th of July, Halloween, and St. Patrick’s festivities and activities.</p>
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His classmates remember Jack as one looking to assist others, one who had a very positive outlook on life, and one whose focus was on winning. His roommates and companymates looked to Jack for academic assistance, which he freely gave, and for his warm fellowship.</p>
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Jack was a caring husband, a loving father, an active grandparent, a loyal friend, and supporter of his class and West Point. He has earned an honored place in the Long Gray Line.</p>
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“And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, may it be said, <em>‘</em>Well Done; Be Thou at Peace.’”</p>
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Jack is survived by his wife, Alma (De Miranda) Poirier; a sister, Yvonne Mangan; daughters Christine Palmiera and Renee Hickman; a son, Colonel David Francavilla; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.</p>