John A. “Jack” Markey died peacefully on Sunday, January 14, 2024, holding hands with his beloved wife of 64 years, Carol (Tweedie), and surrounded by his loving family. He was happiest spending time in the lively and loving home he created with Carol. Their home was always full of life, filled with kids and grandkids, a large extended family, and many, many friends.
Jack was born on December 3, 1934, to Elizabeth (Allen) and Stephen Markey. The second of eight children, he took on a leadership role at home as a young man. He attended Holy Name School, Holy Family High School, and Stonehill College.
After college, Jack and Carol moved to Washington, DC, where they worked for several years before Jack enrolled in Howard University Law School and graduated in 1966. After earning his law degree and bringing their first child into the world, they returned to New Bedford to raise their family. Upon return to their beloved hometown, they quickly welcomed three more children. Jack began his legal career, and it soon became his mission to serve the community and make New Bedford a place where everyone would want to raise their family.
Compelled to improve local government, he decided to run for political office. He was elected Mayor in 1971 and ultimately served New Bedford for eleven years. Jack had an uncanny ability to listen and learn from many community members and to work with talented leaders across the Southcoast. He assembled a team that did amazing work, creating the Downtown Historic District while also improving city finances. Their shared vision continues today. Always brainstorming with community leaders, he was at his best working with teams of people to develop and implement creative solutions to the many challenges the city faced over the years.
In his next chapter, Jack continued his public service as the First Justice of the New Bedford District Court. As a judge, he developed strong friendships with the people who worked in the courthouse and many of the people who appeared before him. He loved providing encouragement and hope to people at the most challenging points in their lives. He always saw the potential in others and often directed them to resources to help them build a better life.
After seventeen years as a judge, he retired from public service, and the final and most significant chapter of his life had just begun. For the next decade, he hosted people in his famous garage. He shared stories and wisdom while drinking coffee with countless family, neighbors, and friends who enjoyed the stories and valued his counsel.
He especially loved puttering in the garage with his grandchildren, always with love, a good story and maybe a peppermint patty or a fudgesicle. He was grateful to have the chance to watch his seventeen grandchildren grow into outstanding young men and women. He attended innumerable sporting events, dance recitals, and musical performances in his retirement years. Grandparenthood exceeded all his expectations, and Grampa Jack exceeded all of theirs as well. His family will be forever grateful for the love and loyalty he shared with everyone he encountered.
Jack leaves his wife Carol (Tweedie); his children John, Jr. (Lynne), Carol Ann Ryan (David), Christopher (Michaela), and Jennifer Golden (Dennis); his grandchildren Christopher (Kira), Jennifer (Amory), Grace (Darin), McKenna, Matthew, Delia (Cole), Clare, Jackson, Samuel, Nora, Elizabeth, Brendan, Xave, Declan, Rachel, Bridget, and Michael; and his great-grandson Zephyr. He is also survived by his sisters Ellen Kelly, Elizabeth Shaughnessy (Bill), and Mary Longo (Mike) and his brothers-in-law Freeman Winslow, Bob Tweedie (Carol Galego) and sister-in-law Dottie Tweedie. In addition, he leaves behind dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved in-laws John and Grace Tweedie; his brother Stephen Markey; his sisters Ann Barlow, Winnie Winslow, and Alice Callaghan; in-laws, Dennis Tweedie, Mary Markey, Ray Barlow, Eddie Kelly, and Pat Callaghan, along with countless family and friends who meant so much.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Sister Rose House, 71 Division St., New Bedford, MA 02744 or the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740 in his memory. Jack surely would have appreciated it if those who were able would take a few minutes to thank an old friend, encourage a young person, help someone who is struggling, or perform a random act of kindness for a stranger.
His visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 18th, from 3-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 19th at 10 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford. Everyone will meet directly at church. For out-of-town family and friends, the Mass will be livestreamed at whalingcitycatholics.org (please go to Live Stream, then Holy Name). For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.