John Sheldon Chown

John Chown, beloved brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on December 11th, 2025, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

In his professional life, John worked at the Veterans Administration. He selflessly and tenaciously devoted himself to facilitate the reintegration of veterans and their families into society after the ravages of war: addiction, PTSD, poverty and family disintegration. He was known for his tenacious advocacy, and sincere concern for those he served.

John was a man of deep but hidden sensitivity. He moved through the world with bravery for the many challenges he faced while pioneering the advancement of important social issues. He found joy in gardening, cars and helping others. His appreciation for beauty was a way of being present in the world.

Above all, John valued connection. He shared a profound bond with his sister, Marilyn, who walked beside him with unwavering devotion throughout his illness, ensuring that he was cared for with dignity, tenderness, and respect. Their relationship was one of deep trust and love, and it remained the center of John’s world to the end.

John’s life will be remembered not by the illness that claimed him, but by the humanity he carried — his compassion, his quiet dedication to others, his gentleness, and the meaningful presence he offered to those who truly knew him.

A graveside service will be held on January 31st at Stetson Meadows cemetery in Norwell. A funeral procession will be leaving McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Route 18 opposite South Shore Hospital) at 12:45 PM. A luncheon will take place at Alma Nove in Hingham Harbor following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's honor to Dr. Shibani Mukerji's lab at Mass General and mailed to the Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Donations can also be made online at giving.massgeneral.org/donate.

John is survived by his sister Marilyn, his brother James and his beloved his nephew Christopher, and niece Juliana.