John W. Calkins

John was a best friend and a consummate, steady lunch buddy whose witty, wide-ranging conversations, thoughtful questions and sage advice served me in good stead for 42 years (ever since I worked for him in the PR Department of First National Bank of Boston). When he called to schedule our next lunch, he always led off with "Joycey, What theatre have you seen lately?" He was an elegant, charming, insightful man whom I miss immensely. May his soul rest in peace and his friends remember all...

John was an old family friend, visited my mother regularly when she was ill, and I am so sad to just now hear of his passing, as we were to get together in April. Sue Ahnrud, Chepachet, RI

I enjoyed getting to know John as a fellow trustee at Hancock Shaker Village, to which he was very dedicated, visiting for all kinds of occasions until very recently. He was a generous donor to the Village, as well as a great ambassador — the Village will miss him, as will I.

I first met John at the Museum of Fine Arts

I first met John in the early 1960's when he was a member the SAE House Corporation which constructed a new house at Boston University. Thereafter, I saw him through the years at various fraternity gatherings in the Boston area. John embodied the principles of "A True Gentleman" as defined by SAE.

My wife. Sarah, shared my affection for John and in recent years we enjoyed staying in touch through phone calls and lunch. He was a very unique and special man. Along with so many...

Like John, I'm a graduate of The First National Bank of Boston. John was a warm, wonderful person, a true gentleman. Any one who was associated with John had to have positive feelings about him. In our post-graduate years, I looked forward to his Christmas card, which was always one of the first to arrive and was distinctive in design and carried a unique message that only John could compose. Let me close by expressing my gratitude and appreciation to whoever wrote his obituary.

John was my first mentor. He pointed me toward my first job in PR, in New York, in the 1980s; and he maintained a keen interest in my career for the following 30 years. This article pays magnificent tribute to a giant among us all: a man who loved lived, lived it to the full, and shared it with abundance. Our world has lost a wonderful soul.

John, or as I called him, "JC" was a piece of work - always enthusiastic, smiling and knew everyone in Boston that mattered. We started working together at the First National Bank of Boston where it was fun and enjoyable working with him and viewing the coin banks and other collections he had in his office both at 67 Milk Street and 100 Federal Street. We shall miss him very much.
Chris Van Curan - aka "Crisco" - (JC's nickname for me)
Sandy Van Curan - (works for British Airways)...

The MFA is deeply saddened by the loss of this warm, lovely and generous man. John was an arts advocate and a friend. I will miss him very much, Patty