John M. Gordick

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Michael Gordick, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who left this world peacefully on January 21, 2025 at the age of 76, surrounded by his closest loved ones. John’s extraordinary life was marked by kindness, a love of learning, and unwavering love for his family.

Born in 1948, John grew up in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, where his boundless curiosity and keen engineering mind were evident from an early age. He was a graduate of Lowell High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and wife, Carol. He entered the military in 1969 during the Vietnam War, serving in the Air Force and following in the footsteps of his father and older brother. John had the distinction and pleasure of being assigned to the very same squadron that his father was a part of when it first was formed in 1942: the 60th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. While in the service, John went on to provide life support services for the airmen in his squadron flying F-101 Voodoos. He earned several military distinctions during his time with the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1973.

John went on to earn his associate’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Daniel Webster College. A mostly self-taught electrical engineer, however, he devoured books on every subject. There was very rarely a machine that John could not troubleshoot and fix with some elbow grease and ingenuity. John worked at Thermo Jarrell Ash in Waltham, Massachusetts for several decades, and then continued with Thermo Fisher. He spent the last years of his career at Antron Engineering in Bellingham, Massachusetts, where he left a number of colleagues who became dear friends.

To those who knew him, John was more than his professional accomplishments—he was a family man with endless generosity and warmth. Whether dragging his family to yet another airshow, refusing to miss his weekly visits and grocery trips with his beloved “Meemaw,” cheering on (and cursing at) the Red Sox, building his children a treehouse from scratch, or making everyone around him laugh with his signature self-deprecating sense of humor, John had a way of making the world a brighter place.

John’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was the devoted husband of Carol for nearly 54 years, making sure he cooked and served her breakfast in bed every Sunday. Together, they built a home in Waltham, Massachusetts filled with laughter and cherished memories. He was the proud father of Allison and Amanda, whose lives he enriched with his unwavering support, wise advice, and boundless encouragement. John cherished and doted on his grandchildren, and was an active grandpa, sharing his curiosity and enthusiasm for learning with them as well.

John’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. His passion for airplanes, music, science, the Red Sox, and his love of learning were matched only by his enthusiasm for celebrating life’s simple joys.

He is survived by his wife, Carol L. (Stanhope) Gordick of Waltham, his daughters Allison Cormier (Kevin) of Tewksbury, Amanda Thibodeau (William) of Waltham, his grandchildren William and Elizabeth Thibodeau of Waltham, his siblings Robert Gordick (Jean) of Concord, NC, Susan Kroloff (George) of Rockville, MD, Jody Dupuis (John) of West Townsend, MA, and Shelley Rice (Keith) of Gardner, MA, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends whose lives he touched. He joins his parents in heaven, Edith (Marks) Gordick and John C. Gordick, and his beloved dog, Molly.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember John’s life by gathering in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, for a Morning Wake on Saturday, February 1st from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon followed by his funeral service at 12 Noon. Burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne will be private. 

A livestream and recording of John's funeral service may be found at my.gather.app/remember/john-m-gordick

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory the Parkinson’s Foundation | ATTN: New England Chapter, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126 or https://www.parkinson.org/newengland/new-england-chapter#new-england-chapter

In his last years of life, Parkinson’s tried to dull John’s spark but he persevered and continued to find joy where he could.

Though our hearts ache in his absence, we are comforted by the memories of the love and joy John brought to our lives. Rest in peace, dear John—you will be deeply missed and forever cherished.