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John grew up in Norwood; he attended St. Catherine of Sienna Elementary School taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, followed by a Jesuit education at Boston College High School. Five months after graduation (on the Marine Corps' birthday, November 10, 1964) he took his oath and enlisted in the USMC, serving at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina... DaNang, Vietnam. Iwakuni, Japan... and Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, North Carolina. He was selected for training in all things data processing, data collection and operations of IBM systems, database building and logistics. In 1968, honorable discharge in hand along with technical training, he found great opportunities for employment at Honeywell, the Mass. Division of Employment Security and Hub Mail Advertising while pursuing a mathematics degree at UMass Park Square, culminating with three years as Operations Manager of the Research Computer Center at UMass Columbia Point. In 1979 John took the Postal Service Entrance Exam and was hired as a full-time postal worker to help build a regional database of customers' change-of-address information. He continued to work in mail processing, computer applications and logistics until he retired after 30+ years.
John felt blessed to have had such a loving and understanding wife, and a hard working son with immense potential. He took pride in surrounding the home with the glorious colors of hundreds of flowers and shrubs. He gave back to the community by donating 104 pints (13 gallons) of whole blood at Deaconess and Brigham + Women's Hospitals.. Maintaining the home for his family, serving his country, and living his faith were the things that mattered to John. May his memory be eternal.
Visitation in the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11AM at Holy Apostles Parish (Our Lady of the Lake) 575 Monponsett St, Rte 58 in HALIFAX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Holy Apostles Parish
1 Entry
Matthew Kelley
July 8, 2025
A Life Well-Loved: Remembering Uncle John by his nephew Matthew.
It's hard to put into words just how much Uncle John meant to all of us, but I want to share some of the cherished memories I have of him.
Growing up, some of my happiest times were spent visiting Uncle John, Aunt Barbara, and Greg in Boston. Those visits were filled with simple joys that have stayed with me to this day. I remember watching some of my first movies at his house - "The NeverEnding Story" is one of those early, vivid memories that comes to mind. It´s funny how those small moments become such significant touchstones.
It was also thanks to Uncle John that I even learned to like and eat tomatoes, picking them fresh from the garden he so diligently cultivated - a small, personal detail that speaks volumes about his gentle influence and passion. I enjoyed exploring Boston when we visited, and truly enjoyed the warmth and comfort of his wonderful old house. His home always felt like a place of welcome and happiness.
Uncle John had a truly unique and joyful spirit. I think my favorite picture from my wedding perfectly captures that spirit: Uncle John and my dad, dressed up as women, giving each other smooches. That image, full of laughter and love, is how I'll always remember his incredible sense of fun and his willingness to embrace life's lighter side.
Just about a year ago, I received a letter from Uncle John that I will forever treasure. In it, he recounted his time in the Marine Corps, sharing his experiences and his pride. What truly touched me, however, was his expression of how proud he was of me, and that he included a bunch of his favorite magazines filled with pictures of airplanes. It was a beautiful gesture, sharing a piece of his passion and his history, and letting me know how much he cared.
Uncle John was more than just an uncle; he was a source of warmth, laughter, and quiet pride. He left an indelible mark on my life, and on all our lives.
We are going to miss Uncle John dearly. His memory will live on in the stories we share, the laughter we recall, and the love he so generously gave.
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