John A. Koechlin Obituary
John Alphons Koechlin died April 1, 2024, in his home at Fuller House at New England Village in Pembroke, Massachusetts.
John was born November 23, 1953, in Winchester, Massachusetts to Patricia Baker and Bernard Koechlin. He was the fourth of their six children.
When John's parents learned that he had Down Syndrome a few months after his birth, they discovered that in the early 1950s there existed little positive guidance for the families of children with the condition. In that era, many professionals advised parents to commit their children to state-run institutions and leave them largely forgotten. Eventually Pat and Bernie enrolled John in a boarding school in Rhode Island. The family visited him frequently and often took him home for visits and to vacations on Cape Cod and Cape Ann.
For most of his adulthood—the last 49 years—John lived at New England Village in Pembroke, Massachusetts. John loved his home at the Village where he lived with three housemates who were all cared for by attentive, loving, staff, with lots of participation by family. Life at New England Village was filled with fun, adventures, and challenges, as well as lots of enthusiasm for the Red Sox.
Over the years John participated in the Special Olympics and was a Boy Scout.
Throughout his life, whether with his birth family or Village family, John loved trips to the Dunkin' Donut drive-thru, and he never said "no" to a meal of a cheeseburger, fries, and a coke.
John really enjoyed having goofy fun, and he was an affectionate loving person.
He is survived by his sister, Emily and brothers, Patrick (Julia), Nicolas (Catherine Godbille-Koechlin), Timothy (Katherine Joyce) and Carl Nagy-Koechlin (Beth Nagy);. He also leaves behind nieces, Leah Walzer Koechlin, Elisa Kelly (James), Nora Kirk (Edward), and nephews, Mikael Koechlin, Remy Koechlin, Joshua Nagy-Koechlin, Julian Nagy and Benjamin Feldman, as well as several great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Also, we cannot forget the devoted staff at New England Village, including, but not limited to, Tracey, Rudolph, Jenny, Neal, Ed, Russell, Katie, and Lan.
John was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Alex Walzer Koechlin.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joachim's Church on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to New England Village (https://www.newenglandvillage.org).
