Northborough – John R. Schunder Sr., 69, former D.P.W. Director, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at Marlborough Hills Healthcare Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Katherine (Deftereos) Schunder; his children, John Schunder Jr. of Richmond, Va., Jason Schunder and Danielle Paolini of Newton, Michael and his wife Kerry of Rockland, Bridget Schunder, and Marty Barboza of Northborough; and nine grandchildren.
Born in Southbridge, he was the son of the late George Schunder and Harriet (Haskins) Schunder. A lifelong resident of Northborough, John was proud to call Northborough his home. He graduated from Algonquin Regional High School in 1964 and continued his education, graduating from Nichols College in 1968. He was a veteran of the Army during the Vietnam War era.
John excelled as a football player. As an All-American lacrosse player, he was inducted into the Nichols College Hall of Fame. He started Algonquin Regional High School’s boys’ lacrosse program and became the team’s first coach. He worked in the Northborough D.P.W. from 1972 until his retirement in 2006. In 1990, he became the town’s first Public Works Director.
He had a passion and talent for building stone walls. He also enjoyed doing tree work and spending countless hours in his wood pile.
John enjoyed his daily pre-sunrise Dunkin Donuts coffee group. He was former member of the Shrewsbury Racquet Club, and had a love of nature and enjoyed feeding deer in his back yard. He was a generous man with a quick wit and dry sense of humor.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, Feb. 11, from 4-8 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough.
To honor John’s wishes, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Northborough Food Pantry, 37 Pierce St., Northborough, MA 01532.
To share a memory or to leave an online condolence, visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
