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John Debs Obituary
He leaves his wife, Christina M. (Stavros) Debs of Worcester and two sons, Zachary John Debs, 6 and Andrew Michael Debs, 4 of Worcester; four brothers, Dr. George A. Debs and his wife, Dr. Gail C. Debs, of Westborough, Philip C. Debs, of Paxton, Dr. Michael E. Debs and his wife Jennifer R. Debs, of Naples, FL and Stephen W. Debs, of Paxton; his aunt, Gail M. (Corey) O'Connell and her husband, John F. O'Connell, of Holden; one nephew, Michael E. Debs, Jr.; three nieces, Jaclyn, Stephanie and Sophia Debs, and many close cousins and friends.
John graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in Holden in 1978, where he co-captained the football team and was a member of the Central Mass. Telegram & Gazette Super Team. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1983, where as a middle linebacker led the Minutemen to a Yankee Conference Football Championship in 1982. He was an undefeated amateur boxer. He graduated from the Southern New England School of Law and went into a private law practice with his brother and best friend, Attorney Stephen W. Debs until 2004. He was a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the Bar Advocates of Worcester County. His true devotion was to his family and to his children, Zachary and Andrew. He will be deeply missed by his family.
Calling hours will be at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, on Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with additional calling hours on Friday, November 3rd, 2006 from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be on Friday, November 3rd, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Zachary and Andrew Debs College Trust Fund, 11 Foster Street, Suite 205, Worcester, MA 01608 or to Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA 01604.
Arrangements are in the care of Caswell-King Funeral Directors.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Debs
Sponsored by the University of Massachusetts alumni, family and friends.
February 10, 2009
Hey There Big Guy....I miss our talks...i miss our laughs we shared talking about just about anything...There's not one day that goes by that I don't think of you or look at your picture...I love you
November 6, 2008
Hi John,
I know it's been a few years but the pain really never goes away. I think of you often and all the good times. I can still see the brightness in your smile..
Debra (Metcalf) Ruggiere
November 24, 2006
Mr & Mrs Debs:
I was so sorry to learn that John had passed away. I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I was a classmate of John's from Nelson Place. I always admired him. Even at a young age I knew he would be successful. I will remember him fondly.
Beth Lussier
November 8, 2006
Dear George and Jean,
I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. God Bless you Jean. I can't even imagine what you are going through at this time. No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. God Bless you and your family.
Love Beth Lussier
Dave Iafrato
November 6, 2006
John we will all miss you tremendously. May God bless your family and keep them close in their time of need.
jim kiley
November 5, 2006
Mrs. Debs , george , phil, mike and steve. I am deeply saddend to hear of Johns passing.Although i had lost touch with john and your family i always felt that john was a brother to me back in the day at umass and in the years right after. My sympathy to all of you and to Johns wife and children . I am sure John knows the children have some great uncles to care for them . God bless jim kiley
Jean Bettencourt (Soares)
November 5, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Anon
November 3, 2006
510 N. Pleasant was proud to call John a brother.
Sumasoid Debsie
Lauri Hinds, Holden, MA
November 3, 2006
Steve:
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, John. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Russell Henderson, Jr.
November 3, 2006
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Debs family. You are all in my heart and prayers. May you find comfort and strength at this most difficult time through your family, friends and most importantly, through God.
Rene Lavallee
November 2, 2006
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Deb's family. John was a dear friend and touched our lives in so many positive ways. We are deeply saddened by his passing, although the great memories we have of him will last us a lifetime. Rene and Danielle
Chuck Richardson
November 2, 2006
Back in the day, there were a few sets of brothers on Birchwood Drive in Holden, and we were all great friends.
A little older, Johnny was the one we all looked up to...you wanted to be in his orbit. As a football player, I still remember his heroic effort in a losing battle w/ St. John's @ WRHS in the fall of '77.
Having seen him (and the bros) a few times in more recent years on the Cape, he was still that guy I knew way back when.
Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Debs, George, Phil, Mike, Steve, and of course John's wife and children.
Manichanh
November 1, 2006
Deepest sympathy to the Deb's family.
Jacki Goodman
November 1, 2006
May you find comfort, peace, and strength in your faith at this time of such sorrow. God bless you.
Michelle Stallone-Eggers
November 1, 2006
John has always held a special place in my heart. He nurtured me and allowed me to grow; I owe him so much thanks. I thank God that I was able to see John recently and give him one last hug. I pray for his peace, his family and especially for his two boys.
Elise Smith
November 1, 2006
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
The Debs Family and Daddy with Baby Zachary
November 1, 2006
Sue Gagnon
November 1, 2006
Christina-Jake and I were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of John's untimely passing. He was a loving father, an extremely kind and generous person, and a good friend who shall be sadly missed by us, and countless others. We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to all of you, and hope that with time, this wound will somehow begin to heal. Words simply seem inadequate right now, but with hope and continued love and support, we are hopeful your loss can be soothed by an outpouring of love, affection, and kindness from others at this difficult time. Love Sue and Jake
george abodeely jr
November 1, 2006
Jean
So sorry to hear about your loss. As I will be away I wanted to sontact you toexpress my condolances.
KIMBERLY (STONE) SOLLOWS
October 31, 2006
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF SADNESS AND HEARTACHE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND KEEP THE MEMORY OF JOHN IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER.
Ivette Amparo
October 31, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with all of John's family. May God bless you and your family. John will always be remembered.
Sincerest Condolences
Ivette Amparo (Worcester)
Soares family
October 31, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Michael Butcher
October 31, 2006
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the entire Debs family. Jean, George, Phil, Mike, and Steve your son and brother was a good person- someone who made you proud to know him and a friend who will be missed.
Tom Kerxhalli
October 31, 2006
I'm in a state of shock to hear of John's passing. He was such a great friend when we were growing up together in Holden. It was through his friendship that I considered you all to be my second family. Please accept my sincerest condolences. John will always be a fond part of my childhood memories.
Katie
October 31, 2006
My deepest sympathy to the entire Debs family. My thoughts are with you. I will remember John as a loving, kind, patient and devoted father tending to the grill at the children's birthday parties.
Stephanie & Bill Murphy
October 31, 2006
Our deepest condolences to the Debs family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Elizabeth Brady
October 31, 2006
My deepest condolences to the entire family. Hopefully the love you have for one another will help you all through this difficult time. God certainly added an angel to his collection when he took John. And remember death cannot kill what never dies-LOVE. Love Auntie Beth
Debbie Hidenfelter
October 31, 2006
May God hold you in his hands during this time of sadness and help to carry you through. I am so sad for your loss, my thoughts and prayers go out to John and his family.
Terri Hidenfelter
October 31, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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