Worcester - John Patrick Kilcoyne, 89, died peacefully with family at his side, on Sunday, December 8, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Inger-Lise (Rossener) Kilcoyne; his children, Sean Kilcoyne of Ca, Stephen Kilcoyne and his wife Dorothy of Sterling, Elizabeth Kilcoyne of Ipswich, Martha Kilcoyne and her husband John Voyta of Hudson, David Kilcoyne of Worcester, and Margaret Kilcoyne and her husband Timothy Horan of Woburn; eight grandchildren, Patrick Kilcoyne, Dianna Ambach, Marleen Kilcoyne, Meg Clark-Kilcoyne, Anna Clark-Kilcoyne, Gregory Voyta, Carolyn Voyta, and Peter Joshua Kilcoyne Horan; three great-grandchildren, Owen and Kathleen Ambach and Archie Johnson; and five nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his first wife, Martha (Henderson) Walsh. He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, Thomas, Leo, and Margaret Kilcoyne.
John was born in Worcester, a son of the late Margaret (Lynch) and Patrick Kilcoyne, who emigrated to America from Ireland. He was a graduate of North High School and Worcester Junior College and later attended Worcester State College. He enlisted in the Navy and served during WWII as an Aviation Propeller Machinist.
He excelled in swimming and held the record for The Senior Games, Eastern U.S. in the 100-meter freestyle event. He played tennis at a high level until recent years. He played competitive bridge and was a member of the Cavendish Bridge Club of Worcester. Proud of his Irish heritage, John studied Irish folk culture and the Gaelic language. He traveled frequently to western Ireland and to Norway, the homeland of his wife, Inger-Lise. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
John was a mechanical engineer, employed at Harrington Richardson Arms and Rockwood Sprinkler where he worked on valves for submarines. With his friend and fellow engineer, Bill Christensen, the owner of James Smith and Son, he developed the tooling for making belted tires which saved many lives on the highways. John retired from Anderson Brush where he developed early thermal efficiencies from the manufacturing process.
The family expresses special thanks to the Summit Elder Care for the compassionate care bestowed on John.
Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 5-8pm. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street, Thursday, Dec. 12, at 10am. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to benefit Abby's House, 52 High Street, Worcester MA 01609. For directions to the funeral home and John's online guestbook, please visit: Nordgrenmemorialchapel.com.
If you met John, you would surely hear, "Don't postpone joy," "Sláinte," and memorably "It's good to be Ye."