John "Jack" McGuirk Sr.

John "Jack" F. McGuirk, Sr.

STERLING/HOLDEN - John "Jack" F. McGuirk, Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in UMass Memorial Medical Center after courageously battling numerous illnesses. Born and raised in Worcester into a large Irish Catholic family, Jack was the son of William T. & H. Irene (Kelleher) McGuirk and one of ten children. He was 76.

Jack was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in Worcester, class of 1961. A patriotic man, he proudly served in the Unites States Army Reserves for 6 years, preparing to serve his country and making life-long friends. Early in life Jack was blessed to meet the love of his life, Arlene, and married in 1966. Jack & Arlene ultimately settled in Holden where they raised their children and spent 30 years. They lived the last 12 years in Sterling.

Jack spent 40 years of his professional life in healthcare financial management, starting as the director of patient accounts at Hahnemann Hospital in Worcester and later joining Medical Bureau of Economics, where he remained for 30 years and ultimately became President of the firm. He sold the company in 2000 and founded Highland Cross & Associates which he operated for several years before being acquired by Windham Professionals, where he headed the healthcare division until his retirement. His most active professional affiliations included memberships in the American Collector's Association and New England Collector's Association, where he once served as President, and was honored by the Massachusetts State Senate for his years of service to the industry.

One of Jack's greatest passions in life was playing golf. He was always willing to share his golfing skills with his son, John, or with anyone who shared his love of the game, although it did not come without a cost. Jack was known as the "Master Buster," a name that preceded him on the golf course for his daunting sarcasm and highly spirited wit. He was a founding member of the Hahnemann Hospital's Golf League at Green Hill Golf Course which is still active after 44 years. He was a member of Holden Hills Country Club for 30 years before joining Cyprian Keyes Golf Club several years ago. Jack traveled and played many golf courses, including one of his favorite and most memorable trips with family & friends to the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club. Jack also enjoyed traveling with Arlene & Matt to destinations around the world, but was perhaps most fond of what became almost annual cruises to Alaska.

He attended, served as an alter boy, and played basketball at Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester in his youth, and was later a member of St. Mary's Church in Jefferson.

He will be lovingly & sorely missed by his family & friends, and will be remembered as a man of great faith and devotion, with a quick Irish wit, engaging personality, a deep sense of loyalty, an even-temper and caring & giving nature, always looking for the best in others.

While the names would be too many to list here, Jack & his family are thankful to the many medical professionals they were blessed to meet over the past 10 years, and will reach out to thank them individually.

He leaves his beloved wife of 52 years, Arlene R. (Landry) McGuirk; two sons, John F. McGuirk, Jr. and his companion, Keri Moran of Spencer and Matthew W. McGuirk of Boston; his daughter, Pamela A. McGuirk and her wife, Denise Mills of Swansea; two sisters, Joan P. McGuirk of Worcester and Charlotte I. McGuirk of Princeton; two brothers, Michael P. McGuirk and his wife, Ronalie of Ocean Shores, Washington and Patrick C. McGuirk and his wife, Robin of Rutland; his cherished granddaughter, Molly A. McGuirk; and many dear nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, Jack is predeceased by four brothers, William, Brian, Daniel & Joseph McGuirk and a sister, Mary Jane Donovan.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jack's family from 3 to 7 P.M. on Sunday, July 29, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, July 30, at Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St., Worcester. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Drive, Suite 100, Natick, MA 01760 (www.lls.org/massachusetts). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com