John Somers
John Anthony Somers, the son of Greek immigrants, was born in Baltimore. He was proud of his Greek heritage but found Unitarianism in 1974 and said this was where he belonged. He was active in the UUCC, and it was very meaningful to him for the rest of his life.
After graduating from high school at age 16, he began studies at the University of Maryland. He interrupted his studies to join the Navy in 1943 and later completed his BBA. While in the Navy he carried out assignments at Pearl Harbor, the Aleutian Islands, and Jacksonville, Florida.
John joined the Naval Reserve where he served for more than 20 years. Returning to active duty in 1961, he served on a submarine during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His various careers besides the Navy were in Naval Intelligence for the Federal government and working for the State of Maryland.
Always interested in music, he played the violin. Upon retirement he took music appreciation courses at the Bain Senior Center and volunteered there in many roles.
His first wife died in a car accident in 1967. They had two children. He met his second wife, Gene, at UUCC and they were married in 1983. They traveled extensively, enjoyed theater, political activities, and UUCC.