John J. Ahearn

Ahearn, John J of Norwood and Cambridge died peacefully June 27 at the age of 83. John was born December 7, 1939 in Norwood and lived in Norwood, Somerville and Cambridge. Son of the late William V. Ahearn and Mary E. (Corcoran) Ahearn. Brother and brother in law of the late William and Helen of Falmouth, the late Francis and the late Mary of Norwood, the late David and the late Jean of Norwood and Falmouth, Kenneth and the late Gloria of West Palm Beach and LA, the late Father Thomas of Maryknoll, NY. Devoted uncle to Kathleen, Timothy, Ellen, Thomas, David, Mark, the late Steven, Paul, Kathryn, Christopher, Liza, Suzie and Preston. John had many close cousins. He grew up in Norwood on Rock Street and was a Norwood lifeguard and he also worked at Furlongs Candies and Ice Cream. John was a graduate of Norwood High School Class of 1957 and a graduate of Boston College Class of 1961. John volunteered in the Peace Corps. He enjoyed traveling. John attended daily mass at St. Catherine's in Norwood and continued with daily mass in Cambridge at St Paul's and the Paulist Center in Boston. He was employed for many years with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. John believed in equal opportunity for all at work, school, housing and in the community and was a strong advocate for those whose rights were violated. He believed in and fought for Affirmative Action for the citizens of Massachusetts. John was positive and kind and always saw the good in everyone he met. John returned to his hometown of Norwood this Fall residing at Sunrise of Norwood Assisted Living and Memory Care where he was lovingly cared for by the exceptional and devoted staff. Funeral mass will be held on July 14, at 10:30am at St. Timothy's Church in Norwood. Charitable contributions in John's memory may be made to St. Paul's Parish Food Pantry 29 Mt Auburn Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138 and Norwood Ecumenical Food Pantry, 150 Chapel Street, Norwood, MA 02062 or a charity of your choice.