Colleagues of a departed Appalachian Judicial Circuit judge who passed away suddenly last week are remembering his dedication, compassion and willingness to help others.
Judge John Worcester passed away Thursday, Aug. 17. He was 74.
Worcester was one of the three Superior Court judges for the Appalachian circuit of Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County. He also presided over two of the circuit’s accountability courts, which serve as alternatives to jail time for some defendants.
Worcester was a judge in the three counties for nearly 20 years, first serving as Chief Juvenile Court Judge. In 2016, Gov. Nathan Deal nominated Worcester to fill the unexpired term of Superior Court Judge Amanda Mercier, who’d been appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals.
“He served our community in numerous ways, as a Superior Court Judge, Chief Juvenile Court Judge, fierce accountability court advocate, on the board of directors for the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and many more,” said Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver and Superior Court Judge Mary Beth Priest in a joint statement. “His legacy of compassion, fairness and friendship has left a mark on our circuit that will not be forgotten.”
Melanie Davis, director of the Appalachian CASA program, said Worcester was instrumental in getting that program, through which trained volunteers act as voices for children involved in court proceedings, started here.
According to Georgia CASA, Worcester was with the state CASA program in the 1990s and helping to bring it to the three-county area when he fell in love with the north Georgia mountains. He eventually returned to the area to live and work.
“We will be forever grateful for his service and support and miss his kind heart, sense of humor and affable demeanor,” said a Georgia CASA statement.
As an accountability court judge, Worcester presided over the district’s Parental Accountability and Mental Health Courts.
The Mental Health (or HELP: Health, Empowerment, Life, and Productivity) Court focuses on defendants whose time in the court system can be linked to undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders. The Parental Accountability Court (or PAC) addresses underlying issues that make it difficult for noncustodial parents to pay child support.
Both focus areas were important to Worcester, who, alongside Judge Weaver, described the function of the accountability courts in a 2021 interview with Kristy Lindstrom, host of the ETC-3 program “Your Mental Health Matters.”
“I think to work in an accountability court, you’ve got to be committed to it. If you’re not committed to it, they’re going to know. If you’re going to work in an accountability court, you better know your audience. You better know the people you have in there,” Worcester said. “Showing the participant you care about them, that you want them to succeed, that they’re a human being and a person of worth makes a big difference.”
“His passion was accountability courts,” said Judge Weaver. “We spent hours together working on our accountability courts. He was a team player and always wanted to know how he could help.”
Andrew Martin, Worcester’s law clerk and staff attorney, said the importance of treating others with dignity and respect really stands out in his memories of working alongside the judge.
“You know how folks always say, ‘Treat others how you want to be treated?’ He would always say that, but I think what he really meant was you should always treat others with the dignity and respect everyone deserves,” Martin said. “No matter who came before him, or under what circumstances, he always took the time to treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserved as a human being.”
Martin said Worcester always took other points of view into account and “did not take anything lightly” when it came to making decisions about court cases.
“He was very patient, thoughtful and deliberate before he (made a decision). He knew what sort of effect his decision would have on someone’s life or (maybe) on a child’s life. He was always careful to think everything through,” Martin said.
Before becoming a judge, Worcester practiced law with the office of Jasper attorney Ed Marger, specializing in juvenile and family law. He then worked in the Appalachian District Attorney’s office as an assistant DA. In 2017, he was named Judge of the Year by the National Court Appointed Special Advocates. The Appalachian HELP Court, over which he presided, was named a Model Court in 2020 by the Georgia Council of Accountability Court Judges.
“Judge Worcester supported his friends and co-workers outside of the courtroom, as well, visiting hospitals, officiating weddings and attending school graduations. He often passed out candy on Main Street in Blue Ridge on Halloween. He was also a sharp dresser, often in a bow tie. His colorful blazers enlivened the mood of a staff meeting,” remembered Judge Weaver about her longtime colleague. “In reading the memorials that have poured in for him, one thought is repeatedly shared. He made other people feel that they mattered. What an honor and legacy to be remembered in that way.”
Worcester was elected to a new term as Superior Court Judge last year. With his passing, Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a new Superior Court Judge for the Appalachian district.
Judge Weaver’s office said cases will be handled by senior judges and the two remaining Superior Court Judges until a replacement is named. Judge Weaver will also appoint a judge to oversee the two accountability courts previously handled by Worcester.