Tracey, John J. 94, of Wellesley died February 28th, surrounded by family, just shy of his 95th birthday. His wife, Mary (Sullivan) Tracey, predeceased John, with whom he shared fifty-six years of marriage. John and Mary raised six children, all of whom survived him. Devoted father and grandfather of Deborah Gately and her daughter Sara Gately of Hyde Park, David Tracey and his wife, Adelle Leiblein of Nashua, NH, Catherine A. Tracey of Dudley, John "Jack" Tracey, of Dayville, CT, Dorothy (Tucker) Tracey and their daughter, Àislin of Putnam, CT, William F. Tracey and his wife Arlene (Hickey) Tracey and their daughter, Carolyn and son, Brian of Walpole, and Thomas Tracey and his wife Malgorzata (Becla) Tracey of Billerica. Gertrude Tracey, John's sister, pre deceased him in 1996.
Mr. Tracey was educated in Waltham and entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942, there-after serving in the Pacific Theater --- Central Mariana's. Known as Officer Tracey to generations of children and adults alike, he served Wellesley as a patrol officer, ultimately becoming Wellesley's Safety Officer for the bulk of his career. A police officer for thirty two years, Mr. Tracey is a past president of the Massachusetts Safety Officers' League. After retiring from the Wellesley Police Department, Mr. Tracey continued working as an active member of the VFW, the American Legion, and a committed volunteer at Elizabeth Seton Residences.
Mr. Tracey took great pride in his Irish heritage and showed great fidelity to the Catholic faith. Both influences gave him a strong sense of self and purpose. As a communicant of St. Paul's church in Wellesley, Mr. Tracey often attended mass there, the church where he married Mary in 1946. He made many friends in camping including members of the Charles River Camping Association. After retiring, Mr. Tracey spent treasured winter months in Florida with Mary at Reflections in Avon Park. He was an enthusiastic Boston sports' fan, and enjoyed playing golf, bowling, bocce, and billiards, when he could carve-out the time. The Wellesley Raiders Football Program held a special spot in his heart, as his son, Bill coached the team for many years. Mr. Tracey reached out in friendship everywhere he went and felt blessed to bump into friends in all his travels.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt 16) WELLESLEY, Monday at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Sunday 4-8PM. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Elizabeth Seton Residences, 125 Oakland St., Wellesley Hills MA 02481.