John A. King Jr. Obituary
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, John King, Jr. (known lifelong as 'Jack') of Gloucester died surrounded by his loving family on December 17, 2022, after a brief illness.
Jack was born in Gloucester on November 17, 1944, son of John King and Mary (Sutherland) King of Lanesville. As a young man Jack enjoyed playing sports and guitar, swimming in Lanes Cove and the quarries, International dory racing, fishing and raising livestock for his family, and working as a model for sculptors George Demetrios and Walker Hancock. He was a Sea Scout and in the ROTC. Jack graduated from GHS in 1962 at the age of 17 and entered the US Navy, serving as an aviation officer on bases in Iceland and Norfolk, Virginia. He was very proud of his service and acted as Commander of the local AMVETS Post 32.
While in the navy, Jack became pen pals with Donna (Quinn) King of Rockport, and the relationship blossomed into a romance and marriage of 57 years. They raised their three sons, Mike, Dan, and Brian with a great love of music, sports, family, and pets. Their house was the place for cookouts and holiday parties, and a welcome home to all family and friends during good times and bad. Jack was a loving father and grandfather figure for many extended family members and friends.
Jack worked for 42 years as a meat cutter for Stop & Shop until his retirement in 2010. He was well-respected and talented at his job, known all over for his specialty cuts, and hired as a private butcher. In his leisure time he pitched for the Atlantic Seafood softball team, coached women's softball, and was a repeat champion at cribbage at Camerons and the Gloucester House.
In November 2022, Jack achieved 21 years of sobriety for which his family are incredibly proud. He was a living inspiration for many that AA can work, and his lifelong commitment to helping others made an impact on countless lives.
Jack could often be found at local music venues listening to Dan and Brian play or driving the back shore to look at the beach and wildlife with Donna. He was master of the grill at many a family cookout, and loved watching the Celtics, Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox with his sons and grandkids. He was also an avid reader, having read hundreds of books from spy novels to histories of pirates, Native Americans, and civil rights, and kept his mind sharp with puzzles like Wordle, comparing scores with his sons every day.
Jack was immensely proud of his family. "Papa" was overjoyed to see his grandchildren Ryan and Cara graduate from High School and attend their proms this past year. He also attended as many of their basketball and baseball games, track and gymnastic meets as possible. He will be deeply missed by his family and the many people his life and work touched.
He is survived by his loving wife Donna King of Gloucester, his son Mike King and wife Beth King of Walpole, son Daniel King of Gloucester, son Brian King of Gloucester, grandchildren Ryan and Cara King of Walpole, step-granddaughter Aili Mattson of Rockport, sister Virginia King of Randolph, Goddaughter and niece Trisha Pata of Gloucester, Godson and nephew Kevin Bunce of Charlestown, sister-in-law Nancy Lake of Gloucester, sister-in-law Megara Wood and husband Tim Wood of Gloucester, and was known as Uncle Jack to numerous adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Nancy (King) Doyle and Carol (King) Monahan, nephew Stephen Drury, grandchildren Emily and Alyssa King, and beloved members of the Bunce, Lake, and McGraw families. A public celebration of Jack's life will be held at The Gloucester House from 12pm-4pm on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
We also invite his friends and family to make a donation in his honor to Manship Artists Residency + Studios in Lanesville (MARS) manshipartists.org or the AMVETS Post 32 Scholarship Fund amvets32gloucester.org.
Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, MA 01930.
