John P. Caulfield

John was called by many names; his longtime friends knew him as Red, his family called him Jackie, his children, Dad, his grandchildren and great grandchildren called him Beepa. Of more recent times, he became known as John. He and his brother James were sons of Irish immigrants, John and Bridie (Lyons) Caulfield. Born in Peabody, he moved to Middleton when he was 15.
He is a veteran of the Air Force and was stationed in Germany as an AC&W operator. He enjoyed those years in Germany and renewed friendships with many of his AC&W colleagues in more recent years.
John married Joan Gaulin in 1964 and settled in Middleton in 1966, There they raised their daughter, Karen and Son, Michael. John and Joan enjoyed traveling to many Air Force reunion locations though out the country. They also enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Bermuda, and cruising the Danube River from Budapest to Germany. They spent many happy times with their family at their Harpswell, Maine vacation home that John built over the course of many years.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who enjoyed sharing his many interests, with his family watching and feeding the birds, fishing, hiking, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snow shoeing, beekeeping, watching football and soccer. He had a unique whistle that sounded
like a bird chirping and his grandchildren and great grandchildren were always delighted when he entertained them with that. He coached youth basketball as well as soccer. He enjoyed making waffles and his blueberry corn bread for family and friends. He loved to share his abundance of rhubarb (washed and cut) with friends as well.
Because he believed in keeping the town a good place to live, he served on the Charter Commission, Personnel Board, Select Board, and Planning Board. He was also an active member of the Middleton Historical Society, serving as a Vice President and taking on many tasks to keep the building maintained. As a member of the Middleton Stream Team, he was always willing to help with cleanup of the canoe landings, the Curtis Mill project, and trail maintenance.
John worked in the leather industry for many years before opening his own carpentry business and made many new friends while making repairs to or remodeling many homes in the area. He was an interesting storyteller, regaling many hikers, friends and family with his tales. He will be greatly missed but his stories will remain in the hearts and memories of his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife Joan (Gaulin) Caulfield, daughter Karen and husband Chuck Paone, son Michael and his wife Michelle, grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine and William Caulfield, grandson, Zachary Paone and his wife Sarah, great grandchildren Zoey, Mason, and Nolan Paone, Granddaughter Molly Paone, and Grandson, Anthony Paone. John was predeceased by his brother James Caulfield.
Services will be held at the Mackey Funeral Home, 128 South Main Street, Middleton on April 14 from
9:30 to 12:30.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to:
The Middleton Historical Society, P. O. Box 456, Middleton, MA 01949; The Middleton Stream Team, P. O. Box 333, Middleton, MA 01949, Friends of Middleton Council on Aging, 38 Maple Street, Middleton, MA 01949.