OBITUARY: John James Gilligan, 71

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA —   John J. Gilligan, age 71, of Wilmington, MA, formerly of Melrose, Lynnfield, and Queens, New York, passed away unexpectedly on August 7, 2023, at the Mass. General Hospital in Boston.

John was born in Dublin, Ireland, on August 25, 1951 and as a toddler he immigrated to the United States settling in Queens, New York, with his parents the late James and Florence (Smith) Gilligan. John was raised and educated in Queens; as a youngster he was a talented musician who was the youngest child, at that time, to perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. John went on to graduate from Power Memorial High School in Manhattan, where he played the trombone with their prestigious Marching Band.

John moved to Webster, Massachusetts in 1978; he took a position as an auxiliary Police Officer with the Webster Police Department. John’s career led him towards private security, corporate security, and on one occasion, even working with the Secret Service. John had the utmost respect for the men and women who wore a badge and he always put others and their safety ahead of his own.

John may have moved to Massachusetts but he was a “true New Yorker” through and through; he enjoyed following the Giants Football team and was an AVID Yankees fan in a family full of Red Sox fans; this always made for great bantering among family members.

John loved his music whether it was Oldies, Motown, or anything from the 50’s and 60’s; he would get his feet shuffling and was known to break out in dance on occasion.

Most of all, John loved his family and looked forward to the time they spent together. John enjoyed being home “hanging out” with Pam and the boys, or working in the yard, or shoveling snow and getting the lines “just right” with his shovel. John’s unconditional love and devotion to his family was evident in everything he did.

John will be fondly remembered as being very Patriotic, hardworking, and a great family man. He had a dry sense of humor, quick wit, beaming smile, and a heart of gold. John was very proud of his Irish Heritage and his New York roots. John’s legacy has touched so many people during his lifetime; he will forever be loved and missed by all who knew him.

John was the beloved companion of 33 years to Pamela (Clark) Goodwin of Wilmington, devoted father of James Gilligan and his partner Rheanna Mertens of Woburn, Sean Gilligan and his wife Amanda of North Grosvenordale, CT, Trevor Gilligan of Wakefield, and the late Kevin Gilligan. Loving “Grampy” of Kiernan Gilligan and brother of Sheila Bayer and her husband Vincent of Massapequa Park, NY. He was the dear brother-in-law of Noreen (Clark) Burns and her late husband Carey of Atkinson, NH, Dale (Clark) Shea and her husband Eugene of Rye, NH and Susan (Clark) Liberty and her husband Scott of Wilmington, MA. John is also survived by his life-long best friend William Knowles, as well as his large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Monday, August 14th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by a Service to Celebrate John’s life at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s memory to the Wilmington Police Association, 1 Adelaide St., Wilmington, MA, 01887 or Cops for Kids With Cancer, Inc., P. O. Box 850956, Braintree, MA 02185.