John M. "Jack" Ehwa

Waltham – Two weeks before Christmas in 1971 Jack Ehwa got word that his fifty-three year old father, Lenny, had died of a heart attack at home in Waltham. Jack was eighteen years old and home for him then was at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. Jack had gone there with his childhood buddy, Paul Douglas. Both of them were "let's make this an adventure kind of day" guys.

After the funeral Jack went right back to Parris Island to complete training with his class and after that served for a number of years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He also grew up pretty quick.

He'd attended Saint Joseph's School and Waltham High before joining the Marines and when he got home to Waltham Jack worked to help support his family by training as an electrician with well-known electrical contractor Thomas LeBlanc & Sons. After his apprenticeship and a few years of experience he started his own company, JM Ehwa Electric in 1976.

That same year he married the love of his life, Carol Stoney, and the pair made Waltham their lifelong home. The years passed and Jack was able to expand JM Ehwa Electric to include JM Ehwa Associates General Contracting and The Waltham Sports Pub. With success Jack was able to become a philanthropist within the local community donating his time, talent, money and energy to organizations that were important to him.

Jack could be described as having been a gentle giant whose imposing figure made family and friends feel pretty safe when he was around. Jack never forgot the first general order he'd learned as a young recruit to 'take charge of his post' . . . and when he was in the room there was no question about who was in charge.

A fabulous story teller and man who loved a good joke, Jack loved to be with friends sharing both. His favorite place to do this was at Wayland Country Club where he indulged his passion for golf as often as he could. If he wasn't playing in Wayland he could be found playing in any variety of warmer climates during the winter months.

He adored his wife Carol, loved his children and thought being a grandfather was fantastic.

Jack was a good man, a proud man and he is already missed.

Mr. John M. "Jack" Ehwa, of Waltham, died Thursday, January 7, 2021 at his home with his family by his side. He was 67. He was born in Waltham on April 1, 1953 to the late Leonard H. and Katherine M. (Alarie) Ehwa.

In addition to his wife of forty-four years, Carol A. (Stoney) Ehwa, he leaves his children, Sandy E. Schutze (Paul) of Bluffton, South Carolina, Thomas J. Ehwa (Lana) of Sandwich, Daniel J. Ehwa (Diane) of Billerica and Mark A. Ehwa (Wendy) of Waltham; his grandchildren, Masiya and Priscilla Schutze and Van, Vayda, Dustin, Dominic, Daniel and Leighton Ehwa; his brothers and sister, William Ehwa of Texas, Charles Ehwa of Watertown, James Ehwa of Bellingham and Elizabeth Politis of Billerica and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jack's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, January 17th from 2 to 5 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham on Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.

Those unable to attend may view Jack's Funeral Mass via this link at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 18th : https://my.gather.app/remember/john-ehwa

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary's Parish, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451 www.stmarywaltham.org

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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – a note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love, support and a verbal hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit to the funeral home should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.