John Kenneth Michaud

It is with much sorrow that we announce the passing of John K. Michaud, age 69, of Dorchester, MA.

John was a gifted artist, and, like his mother, a lover of music and a champion of human and civil rights. Like his father, John was an avid reader and born mathematician.

Those who knew John said the most important thing: John was a good man.

Born August 10, 1956 in Cambridge, MA, John was the beloved first-born son of Dolores E. (Ready) Michaud and Frederick J. Michaud.

John grew up in Brighton and Mattapan, MA and as a young man enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country in Frankfurt, Germany. John worked on U.S. international radar systems and, in his free time, took hikes through the German countryside. He would present family members with a variety of personalized gifts from his German excursions, including colorful steins which he earned at the end of each hike.

After his tour of duty, John returned to his father's hometown of Charlestown, MA, spending time with his cousins and larger family. For years, John lived in the North End above the old European Restaurant and then just a few doors from the Old North Church.

A graduate of Christopher Columbus Catholic HS, John earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

An artist throughout his life, John was most fulfilled when sketching and painting people and places from a city rooftop, a park bench, or anywhere out in the sunshine that he loved or from his home studio rich with sketch books, easels, brushes, oils, and canvas. John kept meticulous notes of his work on the back of each canvas, often spending years on one portrait.

John kept an extensive pin collection of the causes and values he believed in: The March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom 1963; RFK 1968; STRIKE to Bring All the GIs Home Now 1969; Liberty & Equality Chisolm 72; March Against Racism Boston 1974; March Against Apartheid 1986; and Defend the Berkeley 3 2003. The theme of John's pins is captured in one of his smallest: All You Need Is Love.

John traveled extensively, usually off the beaten path, enjoying bike rides, seashores, and local foods.

John is preceded in death by his devoted mother Dolores (Dolly) and loving grandparents – Frederick H. and Ellen G. (Hanlon) Michaud and William and Marguerite J. (Maloney) Ready.

John is survived by his 5 siblings - Susan Walsh of Dorchester, MA, Frederick Michaud, Jr. of Somerville, NJ, Christina Logan of North Andover, MA, Patrick Michaud of Needham, MA, and Mary Logins of Foxborough, MA - along with12 nieces and nephews, 8 grand nieces and nephews, nearly 60 cousins, and close friends. Over the years, John enjoyed Boston's sport teams, music scene, and small art venues with many in his family, young and old, and with his friends shared home-cooked meals, nights out in the neighborhood, and warm laughter.

The family will honor John's life privately.

If you would like to celebrate John's life, in recognition of John's care for others and his love of the arts, we ask that you consider a donation in his name to the Dot House Family Pantry or Artists for Humanity.