John W. Learnard, age 95, of Brockton, died peacefully December 6, 2016 at Good Samaritan Medical Center following a period of failing health. John was married for 64 years to the late Julia “Julie” (Donahue) Learnard. Born November 24, 1921 in Worcester, he was the son of the late James L. and Nellie D. (Felix) Learnard. John was raised in North Brookfield, Massachusetts and was a 1939 graduate of North Brookfield High School. He was a World War II Veteran who served with the US Army Air Corps from 1942-1946. On September 20, 1947 John and Julie were married. He was employed by H.H. Brown Shoe Company, Worcester Shoe Company and the Addison Shoe Company. When he accepted a position at Knapp Shoe Company in 1960 they moved to Brockton. He worked there until his retirement as Senior Vice President in 1986. John was involved in volunteer work throughout his whole adult life beginning with serving eight years on the Brookfield School Committee. After moving to Brockton he volunteered for many charitable organizations including the Charles River Center, Brockton Area Association for Retarded Citizens, Delta Projects, The Deaf Community Center at Bethany Hill, Fernald State School, Massachusetts Association for Retarded Citizens, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Brockton Shoe Museum which was dedicated in his honor on February 12, 2012, Brockton Historical Society and Boston Boot and Shoe Club. In 1999 he led the Patient First Coalition to keep Good Samaritan Medical Center from potential closure. In 2000, John received the Good Samaritan Medical Center “Caring with Excellence” Award, and in 2001 he was awarded the Caritas Christi Medal from the Archdiocese of Boston and named Champion of the City by the Brockton Enterprise. In 2016 the John W. Learnard Scholarship was created at Good Samaritan Medical Center. John was a long time parishioner at St. Edward’s and was actively involved in the parish as Chairman of the Vocation Committee and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
John was the father of Mary “Elizabeth” Carriuolo and her husband Richard of Falmouth, Maine, Margaret Ann “Margie” McLuskey and her husband Gerard of Bridgewater, and John Henry Learnard of Needham. He was the grandfather of Kerin Ann McLuskey and her husband Chad Onufrechuk of Belmont and Michael John McLuskey and his wife Melody of Acushnet, great grandfather of Jack Hunter McLuskey, Liam James McLuskey and Madison Ann McLuskey. He was predeceased by his brother James F. Learnard. John also leaves Kenneth W. McLaughlin and his wife Cheryl of Castle Rock, Colorado and Michael C. McLaughlin and his wife Catherine of Hyde Park, and their children and grandchildren, all of whom the Learnards considered part of their family. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton, Sunday 2-6pm. The funeral procession will gather Monday at 10am for a funeral Mass in St. Edith Stein Parish at 11am. John’s burial will be held on Tuesday in St. Joseph Cemetery, North Brookfield, Massachusetts, at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in John’s name to the Charles River Center, 59 E. Militia Heights Rd., Needham, MA 02492.