Marlborough – John E. “Jack” Dedecko, 75, died Friday, April 6, 2012, surrounded by his loving family and lifelong friend, Robert Werner, at UMass Memorial Healthcare, University Campus in Worcester, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Hudson, son of the late Charles and Eleanor (Fournier) Dedecko, he was raised in Marlborough, where he resided for most of his life. He also resided in Lancaster, where he raised his family. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and attended Princeton University.
Mr. Dedecko owned and operated J. E. Dedecko Plumbing & Heating of Marlborough and later was employed by the Marlborough School Department as a plumber and technician for 20 years until his retirement.
He loved and cared for his pet dogs throughout his life, and also enjoyed fishing and gardening in his spare time.
He is survived by his eight children, Debra Robichaud and her husband, Peter, of Lunenburg; Maureen Parker and her husband, Jeff, of Hudson; Sheila Bilotta and her husband, Joe, of Lunenburg; Ellen Chouinard and her husband, Paul, of Leominster; Sherry Gray and her husband, Tim, of Stow; Jeannie Semar and her husband, Mike, of Malvern, Prnn.; Donald Dudley and his wife, Nancy, of Westminster; and John Dedecko of Marlborough. He is also survived by his former wife, Shirley E. Dedecko of Leominster; his 18 grandchildren; his brother, Charles Dedecko of Mashpee; and his uncle, Joseph Dedecko of Marlborough. He was the brother of the late Sister Mary John Dedecko of Jamaica Plain.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 11, at 11 a.m., in the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery of Marlborough. Family and friends may attend calling hours Tuesday, April 10, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Monastery of Saint Clare, 920 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
