Dr. John J. McGillicuddy

John McGillicuddy Obituary

Of Needham formerly of Waban, January 14, 2007. Beloved husband of the late Mary Louise (Godvin) McGillicuddy. Devoted father of John M. McGillicuddy of Rockport, Christopher D. McGillicuddy of Evanston, IL, Patrick C. McGillicuddy of Medford, Johanna M. Shea of Allston, Jerry L. McGillicuddy of Newton and the late Maura E. McGillicuddy. Also survived by 4 grandchildren. Brother of Mary Crowley of Lynn, Sheila Galligan of Canton, Geraldine Langdon of Winter Park, FL, Thomas McGillicuddy of Wayland and Naples, FL, Rita Condon of Sugar Hill, NH and the late Anna Marie McPeak. Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, on Friday at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill, at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 PM. Interment St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in John McGillicuddy's memory to the National MS Society, 101A First Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451-1115, 781-890-4990. Late World War II Veteran, U.S. Army. Graduate of Boston College, Class of 1934 and Yale Medical, Class of 1938. Received "Favorite Son" award of Boston College, 1966. Orthopedic Surgeon at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Sancta Maria Hospital. Head of Orthopedic Surgery at Sancta Maria Hospital. Orthopedic Surgeon for Boston College and the Boston Red Sox. Avid golfer, Charles River Country Club, Newton. For directions and online guestbook www.gfdoherty.com. George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781-235-4100

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Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John McGillicuddy

9 Entries

Jeremiah l McGillicuddy

August 8, 2025

i look at pics of my sister and i sitting at the breakfast table with dad as he read his paper. i'm laughing or at least grinning from ear to ear in every one. i loved my dad, he was everything to me. he was fun. my father was just a great guy to be around. with all of the responsibilities he had to deal with and all of the daily issues we all face, he still carried himself with a quiet dignity and was quick to make a joke or tell you a funny story to make you, feel comfortable and appreciated. i think of my dad often, and when i do, i smile. because as i've said, i loved my dad and feel privileged, to have been his son and grateful to have known such a respectable and honorable man.

Jeremiah L. McGillicuDDy

Donna Constantino

January 22, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. John. My sincerest sympathies to all. It was a pleasure to have worked with him @ 280 Washington St. (I was his last secretary). I still work in the Orthopedic field and have run into many fans of the Great Doctor McGillicuddy. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed.

Phyllis A. Duffy

January 20, 2007

Maireann croi eadrom Bbfad. (A light heart lives long.) May the Lord bless and comfort all the members of the McGillicuddy clan as they mourn the loss of their long-lived, light-hearted chieftan, especially Patrick, Johanna, Jeremiah, and Blake who have brought much sunshine into my life.

Maryanne Moore Haigley

January 17, 2007

Dear Chris: It has been a long time, but when reading the paper tonight I saw the name "McGillicuddy" and thought of my old friend Maura...and then I realized it was your wonderful Dad's name that I was reading. Many wonderful, hilarious laughs out in Woods Hole on the "Point" and your father, so generously, letting me rent "the little house" a few winters..how much more spectacular could those winters and springs have been! He was a wonderful man, dad and physician and I know he continues to be loved eternally..now with your Mom and Maura. I am still on Nantucket if you ever get over this way...My sincere sympathy to you and all of your wonderful family.
Maryanne Moore Haigley

Eleanor Coen

January 17, 2007

Dear Shelia,
I was sorry to see the death of your older brother, John, in the paper. My sympathy to you and to your brother and sisters I have fond memories of them all
Eleanor Coen

Jennifer Shea

January 17, 2007

To all the family,my condolences.I truly wish I had managed to get to know Dr.McGillicuddy.I am glad he was able to share the joy that I have for our grandson Blake and his lovely daughter Johanna.

Helen Lynch

January 17, 2007

Dr. Mc Gillicuddy was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was my physician when I was in nursing school and hurt my back. I was hospitalized about a dozen times over the years starting in 1967. He was a gentle giant. I wish other doctors that I work with would have his caring ways and work ethic. May he rest in God's eternal home for eternity.

Pierre C. Rumpf, Esq.

January 17, 2007

And now the Kingdom of Heaven has a new "Resident" - the prolific Dr. John J. McGillicuddy. May God bless Patrick and all of the McGillicuddys as they rejoice in the wonderful life of their dearly departed brother, father, and grandfather.

Susan Harris

January 17, 2007

I loved Uncle John. He was always, always my favorite uncle growing up. When I was a little girl he treated me like a million dollars. He told me how beautiful I was and how special I was. He always called me “doll”. He laughed at all the things the band of cousins would do together. In the summers he would work tirelessly on the weekends to make the beach and dock area at Woods Hole perfect for his family to enjoy.

We had his support when we rowed the Mar-Sue out to go drop-line fishing. He would help us set up buoys to anchor the little blue boats that we were allowed to navigate on our own even at very young ages. He always insisted on a sail out into the harbor to test our sailing lesson skills. Alas, mine were none too good but he didn't mind. He helped drive the Boston Whaler over and over again as we all learned how to water ski. It was a trial and error activity which required deliberate patience on his part.

My favorite memory of Uncle John was when he and Aunt Mary took me to New York City with them for a weekend. It was magical. We stayed at the Plaza, ate at the finest restaurants, and shopped at fancy stores like Bergdorf's and Bendel's. I felt like a fairy princess. And I surely was treated like one. It is a childhood memory I will never forget.

And then there were the parties and celebrities. As a young child it was mind boggling to have Jim Lomborg and Carl Yastrzemski sitting with you on the beach. Or more intimidating was them playing ball with you on the lawn! Weren't these the famous Red Sox players? How did this happen to me? Well, of course they were all patients of John's and had struck up friendships. They were visiting the great shoulder healer! What a treat for us all.

Uncle John pierced my ears for me when I was 16. Because he know how deathly afraid of needles I was. Nobody was going to go near me for that unless it was John! And he did.

In later years, he loved hearing about my own family and used to tease Mac, my husband, about marrying me. When we would visit with the kids and they were little he loved to tell stories about his own childhood and tell little secrets about his brother (their own grandfather), Tom, and what a mischievous little boy he had been. How my kids loved those stories!

I will miss John. He is very much a presence in all my memories of my own childhood and holds a special place in my heart forever.

Susan McGillicuddy Harris

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