John Joseph Grugan Jr., of Plymouth, passed away at home surrounded by family on May 2, at 77, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Boston on June 14, 1947, to John and Dorothy (Colligan) Grugan, John grew up in Braintree, where he later raised his own family with his wife of 52 loving years, Kathleen (Lynch).
John was a devoted father, husband, brother, son, and friend to many. John placed family at the center of his universe. Nothing brought him more happiness than spending time coaching his son’s basketball games and fostering a sense of adventure and a love of nature in his children by taking them on countless hikes, camping and skiing adventures around New England. More recently, he was enjoying doing the same with his grandchildren – happily standing out in the rain, snow, and wind to watch his grandchildren’s soccer matches and ski races.
In his all-too-short retirement, John enjoyed pursuing his passion for golf with his wife Kathy and many friends in their adopted Pinehills community.
John retired in 2017 as president and CEO of the Charles River Center in Needham, where he worked tirelessly to provide individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and meaning. He loved the members of the Charles River Center community he served and was in turn beloved by the community. His legacy will live on in the hearts of the many families who benefitted from his unceasing advocacy.
John was a friend to everyone he met. He loved to joke around, give people nicknames, and frequently dip into his extensive repertoire of corny sayings. He could make his grandkids laugh even when those same words from their parents would elicit groans. He treated everyone as his equal and lived a life of selfless service to others. He was a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart who left an outsized imprint on the people who knew him.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law; Christopher (Nancy Bonn) of Stowe, VT, and, Michael (Vanessa Greene) of Harwich; and his four grandchildren, Charlotte and Sam (children of Christopher and Nancy), and Lydia and Ellis (children of Michael and Vanessa). They were his pride and joy.
John is also survived by his siblings, Kathy Cockshaw and her husband Arthur; Jeanne McCormick and her husband Mike, Paul Grugan and his wife JoAnn, his sister Amy Grugan; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at the Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy on Wednesday, May 28,from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in John’s memory to the Charles River Center, 59 E. Militia Heights Dr, Needham, MA, 02492.