Shrewsbury – John J. Concordia, of Shrewsbury, died peacefully Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.
Born in Worcester to Pasquale and Celia (Lovuolo) Concordia, John lived in Shrewsbury most of his life. He moved to Cape Cod in August 2015 and recently moved back to Shrewsbury, the place he loved most. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Joan B. (Fleming) Concordia.
Growing up, John played baseball and basketball while at North High School where he was the captain of the basketball team. He graduated from North High School and later from WPI. He greatly valued education and strongly instilled that value in his children and grandchildren.
In 1943, John enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was accepted into an officer-training program in Meteorology, and after basic training spent a year of study at Bowdoin College in Maine. He was then assigned to a second year of study in Ontario with the Canadian Air Force, before finishing his 3 years of Army service as a Radar Technologist, working on the first radar systems used in defense.
John traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe, and he continued to greatly enjoy travel throughout his life, with a special affinity for Italy.
John was an electrical engineer who worked for General Electric and Raytheon, and retired from GTE in January 1987. After his retirement, John enjoyed a second career working as a strong advocate for the seniors of Shrewsbury. He played a pivotal role in the planning and building of the Shrewsbury Senior Center, and regularly enjoyed their many activities, particularly participating in weekly games of bridge.
John was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Parish and he treasured his time there. Along with his family, the church was of vital importance to him. John was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Adelphi Council #4181 in Shrewsbury. He was an avid reader especially with the St. Mary’s Thomas Merton study group, and enjoyed gardening, playing cribbage, and watching all sports, especially the Red Sox.
John is survived by his seven children, George P. Concordia and his wife Margaret Cahill of Arlington Heights, Ill.; Fr. Stephen Concordia, O.S.B., of Latrobe, Pa.; Patricia Concordia and her husband Winston Lloyd of Hyde Park; John P. Concordia and his wife Joanne Atkinson of Westwood; Ann O’Connor and her husband Sean of Mashpee; Mary Quinn and her husband David of Pawtucket, R.I.; and Joan O’Brien and her husband John of Worcester. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Padraic O’Connor, Caitlin Riley and her husband J. Patrick, Kevin Concordia and his wife Lisa, Brian Concordia and his wife Leslie, Alexander Concordia, Justin Lloyd, Garrett Lloyd, Simon Quinn, and Colleen Quinn; his three great -randchildren, Finn, Olivia, and Connor; and a brother, Joseph Concordia and his wife Theresa of Narragansett, R.I. John was predeceased by his brothers, Ralph Concordia, Francis Concordia, and Fr. George Concordia, OP.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mr. Concordia’s family Monday, Feb. 27, from 3-7 p.m., in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral will be Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m., with a funeral Mass celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in John’s memory to the Friends of the Shrewsbury Senior Center, Inc., 98 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
