John Robert Taft (1954-2007)

John R. Taft Jr. (April 28, 1954 – June 3, 2007 ) was an American  politician who served as President of the North Adams, Massachusetts City Council and, in 1983, as the acting Mayor of North Adams, Massachusetts.

Biography
Taft was born on April 28, 1954 in North Adams, Massachusetts to Therese (Judge) and John R. Taft Sr. Taft graduated with honors from Drury High School. Taft was a member of the North Adams City Council from 1980 to 1985. Taft was the president of the North Adams City Council. In 1983 Taft served, for two months, as the acting mayor of North Adams. In the 1985 mayoral election Taft ran against incumbent Mayor John Barrett III. Of the 4,373 votes cast in the election Barrett received 3,718 votes and Taft received 655. After he served as mayor, Taft was the veterans' agent for the city of North Adams. Taft died on June 3, 2007 at the Veterans' Hospital in West Haven, Connecticut.