John F. Bohman

Attorney John F. Bohman of Gardner, Massachusetts, died peacefully on December 1, 2025, after a brief period of declining health. John was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 27, 1931, the son of Raynard F. Bohman and Theresa D. (Conlon) Bohman. He was the oldest of four children: Raynard, Jr., Mary, and Sheila.

John married Marita Bolster in 1960 and is survived by his wife and a close family of nieces and nephews.

John and his family moved to Gardner, Massachusetts, when he was 4 years old. He attended Gardner schools until he was 16 years of age and then enrolled in Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where he served as a Sergeant and a member of the Anthony Wayne Legion Guard. While at Valley Forge, John won the annual Dunaway Oratorical contest and the Hazard Award for excellence in debating. He also served as President of the Patrick Henry Forum.

John graduated from Valley Forge in 1949 and entered the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania in the Fall of that year. During the course of his four years at Penn, John served as President of the University Student Assembly, President of the University Debate Council, and President of Delta Sigma Rho fraternity. Following graduation from Penn, John entered Harvard Law School in the Fall of 1953. While at Harvard Law, John served as President of the Morgan Law Club and Captain of that law club’s Moot Court Team.

John graduated from Harvard Law School in 1956 and returned to Gardner, where he established his law offices. He was admitted to the practice of law in Massachusetts in 1956, as well as to the bar of the United States District Court of Massachusetts and the United States Supreme Court.

While in Gardner, John served as City Solicitor for the City of Gardner for 10 years during the administrations of Mayor Cyrille Landry and Mayor Stephen Erickson. He also served as a member of the City’s Board of Health. In addition, John served as President and Trustee of the Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital, Trustee and Clerk of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, President of the Chair City Club, President of the Gardner Rotary Club, and President of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce. John served for many years as a co-Trustee of the Ralph and Helen Kelley Foundation, better known as the “Friends of Gardner High School Scholarship Foundation”. He also served for many years as a Director of Colonial Co-operative Bank.

John was a longstanding member of the Oak Hill Country Club of Fitchburg, where he enjoyed playing golf for over 60 years. He was a member of the Worcester Economic Club and a proud member of Boston Assembly #9 of the Society of American Magicians. Magic, or sleight of hand, was his hobby since the age of 8. His brother, Ray, assisted him in his magic act. During World War II, they were part of Gardner’s USO troupe, which performed regularly at Fort Devens.

John was a member of Holy Spirit Church, now Annunciation Parish.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in Annunciation Parish - Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner.  Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4 - 6 pm in the Mack Family Funeral Home, Gardner Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Levi Heywood Memorial Library, 55 West Lynde Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.

Mack Family Funeral Home, Gardner Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner, is directing arrangements.