John J. “Jack” Waite, Jr., 89, of Winchester, MA passed away peacefully on May 15, 2018 at his home with loved ones by his side. Born in Dorchester, MA he was the son of the late John J. Waite, Sr. and Margaret (McDonnell) Waite.
Jack will be missed by his wife of 65 years, M. Patricia (McQuillan) Waite of Winchester; his five sons, Stephen G. Waite and his wife Theresa of Shrewsbury, MA and their children Daniel, Megan and Carolyn; Thomas E. Waite and his wife Paula of Milton, DE; John F. Waite and his wife Eve of Deerfield, MA and their children Sierra and Jeremiah; Joseph P. Waite and his wife Tiffany of Montclair, VA and their children Dora and Margaret; and James G. Waite and his wife Julie of Richmond, VT and their children Oliver, Edward, and Eliza; his sister Margaret Krim of Milton, MA; sisters-in-law Dorothy McQuillan of Needham, MA; Katherine Canney of Shrewsbury, MA; and Janet McQuillan of Medfield, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was a graduate of Boston Latin School and received a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Boston College in 1949/51. He was commissioned in the United States Navy in 1951, served aboard two ships during the Korean War, including the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain, before eventually retiring as a Navy Commander from the Naval Reserve after 28 years of honorable service.
A career educator, Jack taught math and served as the Director of Mathematics for the town of Winchester for 36 years until his retirement in 1991. He was elected to the Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Mathematics Educators in 2002 in recognition of his service. Post-retirement, Jack served endlessly on behalf of Winchester seniors as the President of the Jenks Center in Winchester in addition to his contributions as a Board Member, Committee Member and resolute volunteer.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester on Sunday, May 20th from 2-5 PM, and again on Monday at 9 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church 158 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Rd, Winchester, MA 01890 or the Winchester Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 174, Winchester, MA 01890.