John E. Hackett, Sr. of Worcester passed away at home on Monday, August 13, 2018 after a period of declining health. He was born in Worcester on April 6, 1930 to J. Ernest Hackett and Alice (Bolduc) Hackett and was one of four children. He married the love of his life, Josephine (Podmostka) Hackett, on November 16, 1957 in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Worcester and had four children.
John was a lineman with New England Power Service Company,later Massachusetts Electric, and retired from Massachusetts Electric in 1992 after 38 years. He served his country on active duty in the United States Navy as a member of SubGroup 1 and later in the Naval Reserve receiving an honorable discharge. He was past president of former Local 334 Brotherhood of Utility Workers of New England (BUWNE). He was active in his church and was a past president of the St. Mary’s Boosters of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish where he was the 1981 recipient of the Diamond Pin Award and the 1987 recipient of the Past President Award. He was a charter member of the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation; Norton Caravan Club; Senior Steppers of St Joseph’s Parish, Auburn, MA and Greendale Retired Men’s Club. He coached baseball for many years with the Jesse Burkett Little League. He was a current member of Christ the King Parish, Worcester, MA.
He leaves behind his devoted wife and dedicated caregiver of 60 years, Josephine; his daughter, Christine Nichols and her husband, Jeffrey; his daughter, Johanna Hackett; his daughter, Patricia Bruchmann and her husband, Ronald all of Worcester; his son, John E. Hackett, Jr. and his wife Brenda of Charlton; eight grandchildren, David Nichols and his wife Stephanie of Vermont; John Nichols and his wife Laura of Connecticut; Brian Nichols of West Virginia; Joseph Nichols of Leominster; Alexis, Kyle, Cole, and Camden Hackett of Charlton. He also leaves behind 4 great grandchildren, Caleb, Samuel, and Timothy Nichols of Vermont and Molly Nichols of Connecticut. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Robert and James Hackett and Eleanor Dulmaine. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to his physicians, Dr. Wilfrid Pitts and Dr. John Ferullo, for years of dedicated care.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 17, 2018 from Henry-Dirsa Funeral Home, 33 Ward Street, Worcester, MA with a Mass at 11:00 am in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA. Burial will follow in Worcester Country Memorial Park in Paxton, MA. Calling hours are from 8:30 to 10:30 am in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.