John F. Oliver

John F. Oliver was born on May 17, 1928 in the city of Boston, to Ferdinand Oliver and Catherine Schwamb. Over the next 97 years John would touch the lives of countless people, even though he never lived very far from his birthplace.
He grew up with his two brothers, Charlie and Dicky, but early in life he and Charlie ended up as orphans at the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston. They fended for each other and grew up with a bond that would endure until 2025, the year they both passed away, just months apart.
With no means of his own, John figured out how to get by. He jumped on trolleys in Boston without paying the fare, and grabbed carrots and other veggies to eat out of neighbor's yards. He would say he wiped them on his pants to clean them off, and spit out the rocks as he chewed.
At 17, as WWII was ending, he joined the Navy and served on the antiaircraft cruiser Tucson, training on the 5-inch guns. His ship would travel through the waters off Hawaii and in 1947 search for survivors of the S.S. Fort Dearborn. He was discharged later that year as a WWII veteran.
When he returned home he married Elizabeth "Betty" DiMinico, and they lived in East Boston. One day looking for steady work, he offered to sweep the street and stairs in front of a business in Boston. They took him up on it. Soon after, an employee came out of the building and asked him if he could use scissors and knew how to measure. He said yes, even though he really didn't know how to do either of those things very well. That decision would launch a career in dress and pattern making that lasted almost 50 years.
He and Betty had two daughters- Janice and Denise. He wouldn't stop doting on them for the next 76 years, and told everyone he came into contact with that he got lucky to have two girls, because they would always take care of him.
They and every other family member to follow were John's priority. There was simply nothing else. He had religion, he had hobbies (he was an amazing candlepin bowler), he had friends, he watched sports- but nothing compared to his family. When most of his family boarded a plane to fly to Hawaii in the 1980's for his nephew John's wedding, he told someone, "My entire life is on that plane."
And so it went – his daughter Janice married Stephen Baldi and had two sons John and Keith. His first grandchildren. His daughter Denise married Edmund Perry, and they had a daughter Denae and son Mark. His third and fourth grandchildren.
Then the family multiplied again, and he knew and loved them all.
John Baldi and Patricia Santigate had Brendan and Jacob Baldi. Keith Baldi and Angela Quaranta had Seneca, Francesca and Lucia Baldi. Denae Perry and Mark Toon had Aaliyah Perry-Toon. Mark Perry and Whitney Ogas had Madison and Emilia Perry. His heart was full, his family had expanded beyond what he ever imagined.
After his wife Betty died, John moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody where he would continue on to another stage. He met his late life companion Simone and had numerous friends who he spent hours with playing cards and pool. These years made him complete, having a life where he could be carefree and take time to enjoy even more laughter and joy.
John was kind and loving, caring and sensitive, and had a belly laugh you could hear in the other room. As his time wound down in the final weeks of his life, his daughters were again at his side to keep him comfortable and calm. He was happy about that, and we were all happy to have so many years to know and love him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster Street, Melrose. A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at St. Joseph's Parish, 770 Salem Street, Malden. Interment will follow the funeral mass at Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm Street, Everett. Family & Friend's respectfully invited to attend.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in John's memory to The Home For Little Wonderers, 72 - 74 E. Dedham Street, Boston, MA 02118 or you may donate through their website at https://www.thehome.org/.