John J. Cantwell

John (Jack) Cantwell passed away peacefully and comfortably November 27, 2024. Jack was the beloved husband of Margaret "Peg" (Linskey) Renaud-Cantwell, predeceased by his first wife, Arlene (Sullivan) Cantwell. Jack is survived by his children, Kevin Cantwell, Raymond Cantwell (wife, Monica); Maureen Meech and James Cantwell (wife, Jennifer.) Jack was blessed with seven grandchildren: Shannon, Alexandra, Michaela, Victoria, Colin, Brendan, and Christopher. He also leaves his stepchildren Kathleen Goulart, Dawn Renaud, Robin Mendieta (husband, Antonio) and the late Eric Renaud (wife, Chiara). He also leaves many loved nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.
Jack joins in heaven his beloved parents, John and Dorothy (Daley) Cantwell, sisters Anne "Ginger" Cullen and Dorothy, and his brother, William.
Jack was born in Brighton on September 20, 1936. He attended St. Columbkille High School and Northeastern University.
Jack met his first wife, Arlene (Sullivan) Cantwell on a blind date in Newton, MA. In 1957. In 1959 he married Arlene and in 1963 they moved to Marshfield where they raised their four children. Arlene was a schoolteacher in the Marshfield Public Schools and passed away suddenly in 1996. In 1998 Jack was serving on the Marshfield Advisory Board where he had the good fortune to sit next to fellow Member, Peg (Linskey) Renaud. Shortly thereafter they began dating and were married in 2001. They lived happily in Marshfield for the last twenty-three years.
Jack was a man of very few words. However, he didn't need orations, he preferred actions, to convey how important were his family, his friends, and his community. In his eyes, active involvement with others - whether through family events, at his local church, with organized youth sports, via local benevolent associations, or by volunteering in political and government positions – was the key to a happy and fulfilling life.
Recognizing his more than forty years of volunteering to help children in the community as a Coach, Treasurer, and President of the Marshfield Youth Baseball League, the Town of Marshfield dedicated the "Jack Cantwell Field" at the Recreation Center in 1996. This past October 26, 2024, The Town and MYBL re-dedicated The Jack Cantwell Field. Among dignitaries at this celebration was United States Senator Ed Markey.
Jack was a founding Charter Member of the local chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #2494 in 1973. He served as the first Esquire of the Marshfield Lodge, and volunteered for virtually every activity of the Lodge in its early years. Jack was recently honored for his roles as a Charter Member and volunteer of the Marshfield Lodge of Elks at its 50th year celebration.
Jack was a proud Democrat and worked hard for decades to promote Democratic candidates and ideals. He was a leader of the Marshfield Democratic Town Committee for more than fifty years, twenty of those years as its Treasurer. Recognizing his decades of active leadership Jack was named a "Democrat of the Year" in 2006 by the South Shore Democratic Caucus.
Jack lived in accord with the maxim, "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." Accordingly, Jack served in various volunteer roles in Marshfield Town Government, including nine years on the Town's Advisory Board. He was also very proud of being elected to the Board of Assessors where he served for eighteen years. The Town of Marshfield recognized Jack for many years of his civic service at the Annual Town Meeting in April of 2019.
Professionally Jack was early to recognize the importance of computer programming. He retired as a Computer/Data Center Manager for the MBTA after more than twenty years of service.
Jack wouldn't want a big fuss made over him - but he absolutely would want us all to do something today - and every day - to show love to one's family, to make our community stronger, and to improve lives of others.
Service details are as follows:
Visiting Hours will be on Monday December 9, from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 10, at 10:00 AM at the Lady of the Assumption Church, 40 Canal Street in Marshfield, MA.
Burial will be in the Couch Cemetery immediately following the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers donations in Jack's memory may be made to The Marshfield Elks Lodge #2494 Scholarship Fund, by mail to PO Box 1018, Marshfield MA. 02050
For on-line guest book, directions, or other helpful information please visit MacdonaldFuneralHome.com