Digital artwork of John lovingly created by his granddaughter Farrin.
John Harvey Fresh of Easton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. While the last several years brought significant health challenges as John dealt with the increasing complications of Parkinson’s Disease, his spirit was always unbroken, his sense of humor strong, and, when he had the strength, was always eager to challenge you to a game of cards. Up until his very last days he was liable to beat anyone he played quite handily!
Born to Donald and Mary (Tilton) Fresh on July 16, 1937, John was the youngest of three children. Many childhood moves brought John and his family to Franklin, Massachusetts where John graduated from high school. John went on to serve in the National Guard and took a job at his career-long employer, Plymouth Rubber Company. It was at Plymouth Rubber where John met Muriel Callahan, the woman who would go on to be his best friend and loving wife of almost 65 years. To know John is to know that Muriel, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the lights of his life. John was the quintessential family man—often working multiple jobs at once to make sure his family was supported, he never missed an opportunity to take a family road trip, spend the summers camping across the northeast, coach town basketball, or lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbor in need.
Later in life, when most people are slowing down, John sped things up! He ran his first marathon in his late 40s, going on to finish several, all with impressive finish times. John was a member of the Wampanoag Running Club for many years, and up until his late 60’s could often be found running double digit miles around his beloved home town of Easton. Almost as impressive as his running was John’s love of ice cream—he was known for eating maple walnut, straight out of the gallon container, after every run!
John retired from Plymouth Rubber in 2000, and spent his retirement doing all the things he enjoyed, with the people he loved the most. John and Muriel could often be found spending time in Daytona, Florida, organizing trips to many US destinations, winning more than they lost at Foxwoods and on the Las Vegas strip, and spending time by the pool and playing cards in their beloved screen-house with family and friends.
In addition to his adoring wife, Muriel, John is survived by his daughter Linda (Charles) Patti of Miromar Lakes, FL; sons John (Amy) Fresh, Peter Fresh, and Jeffrey Fresh all of Easton, MA; grandchildren John, Taylor and Farrin; and great-grandsons Theo and Harry. He is also survived by his older sister Barbara Cassidy, a very large extended family, and countless friends who, over the years, became “family.”
A memorial mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Easton, MA on February 24, 2023 at 10:30am. Reception to follow, for family and friends, at The Town Spa in Stoughton.
John was a man of strong faith, and a devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to Immaculate Conception Church: 193 Main Street Easton, MA 02356, or to Old Colony Hospice: 321 Manley Street West Bridgewater, MA 02379.