1927 – 2015

MEDWAY, Mass. — John Lawrence Hanlon, 87, of Medway, Mass., and formerly of Franklin, Mass., died Saturday, March 7, surrounded by his loving family in his home. He was the husband of the late Theresa A. (Gaffney) Hanlon for over 58 years.

Born in Auburn on Dec. 13, 1927, a son of the late John and Julia (King), John lived in Franklin, Mass., raising his family from 1958 to 1984, then the family moved to Medway, where he and his wife, Theresa, resided until a few months ago.

John graduated from Edward Little High School, where he was an outstanding member of the football and baseball teams. He did one year of post-high school education at Hebron Academy in Hebron, then went on to American International College in Springfield, Mass., where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching.

Early in his career, John was a social studies teacher at Wellesley Middle School in Wellesley, Mass. He passed along his experience in sports as a football and baseball coach. He worked for 32 years in the Wellesley school system, retiring in 1990 as assistant principal.

John proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In his spare time, he enjoyed yard work and will always be remembered for his annual bounty of tomatoes that he grew in his garden.

John is survived by his children, John “Jack” Hanlon and his wife, Cathy, of Glen Gardner, N.J., Mary Jane Hanlon of Lexington, Mass., Lisa Bussolari and her husband, Michael, of Medfield, Mass., Maureen Novak and her husband, Dale, of San Antonio, Texas, Marcia Hanlon of Concord, Mass., and Mark Hanlon and his wife, Tracy, of Saratoga, N.Y. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lauren Senter, Courtney Rogers, Michaela Hanlon and John Hanlon III.

He was the brother of the late William Hanlon and Richard Hanlon of Lisbon, and Delores Mottram of Maine.

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