John M. Penney

John M. Penney passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his children on March 11, 2013, just shy of his 97th birthday. Born on April 8, 1916 to the late Henry & Anna (Ebert) Penney; John was a lifelong resident of Saugus and grew up on his family's dairy farm on Howard Street and graduated from Saugus High School in 1934. He loved being outdoors, gardening and sports, especially hockey. John fought in WWII as a Combat Infantryman with the 23rd Infantry and was part of the Normandy Invasion and the Northern France Campaign. Mr. Penney was injured in both battles which earned him the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, the American Theater of Operation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. Before WWII he served in the United States National Guard for 6 years. In 1945 he returned home and enrolled in Boston University where he earned a degree in Business in 1949 and went on to Northeastern University where he earned his Masters in Engineering in 1951. John went to work for General Electric and then for the Raytheon Corporation and worked on the Hawke Missile Project. Missing being outdoors he left Raytheon and went to work for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier in Lynn, Saugus, Swampscott & Nahant until his retirement at age 65. Mr. Penny was very active in the Saugus Senior Center and the Saugus VFW Post #2346, marching in numerous Veterans and Memorial Day parades in Saugus. He is survived by his six daughters: Sharon L. LeBlanc & her late husband Richard of Melrose, Roxanne E. Dalzell & her husband Paul of Marblehead, Susan M. Penney & her companion Ray Dube of Stoneham, Lisa M. Howitt & her husband Al of Melrose, Patience P. Penney & Paula N. Penney both of Saugus. Grandfather of Kimberly Penney of Lexington, Caitlin LeBlanc of Medford, Ryan LeBlanc of Melrose, Robert Penney of Saugus & Pamela Dalzell of Danvers. Great grandfather of Brian, Hailey, Kayla and Jesse. Husband of the late Marguerite P. (Powers) Penney. Brother of Francis Penney of FL. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Saturday, March 16th from 9:00-10:30AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 11:00AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment with military honors at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus following the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the Chelsea Soldier's Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150 or to All Care Hospice, 210 Market St., Lynn MA 01901.