Obituary of John Mosey

John Mosey, a resident of Burlington for 45 years, passed away at the Woodbriar of Wilmington Nursing Facility on Monday morning, September 26, 2006. The husband of 53 years of Ruth T. (McBride), He was 79 years old. John was born in Lynn. He was the son of the late Clarence and Gracia Mosey. He was raised in Somerville and Medford. He was a graduate of Medford High School Class of 1944. Mr. Mosey was a veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Army. He was the recipient of the American Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He also served in the National Guard where he achieved the rank of Corporal. John and his wife Ruth were married in 1953. They lived in Everett before moving to Burlington in 1961. John was employed as an electrician. He worked for M.I.T. Lincoln Labs for over 25 years. John had a great love and a talent for music. As a young adult he played with the Sammy Kay Orchestra. He also used his musical talents while in the Army. He was a member of the 395 ASF Band. He played the trumpet, cornet, bass drum and mellaphone for military concerts and dances. In his later years, he played trumpet for the Lexington Town Band for 10 years. John volunteered his time and talents on numerous Burlington Fourth of July Parades. He was a big baseball and football fan. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all those who loved him. John is the beloved husband of Ruth T. (McBride) Mosey of Burlington. He is the loving father of John Michael Mosey of Windham, ME and Robert Charles Mosey of Haverhill. He is predeceased by his siblings; Gracia Coutreau, Chester and Linwood Mosey. He is the proud grandfather of Christopher, Michael, Connor, and Alyssa Mosey. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday September 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in John’s name may be made to St. Margaret’s Building Fund, 111 Winn St., Burlington, MA 01803. John's Eulogy Who was my dad? We sat around last night reminiscing about my father and we set down these thoughts. He came from parents who were born in the 19th century – a simpler time with simpler ideas about the world. He bought his first and only house in 1961 and being the craftsman that he was he finished the second floor himself. As an electrician, he also did some wiring on new construction in the neighborhood. The building inspector told him that his wiring was the first he had ever seen that would not need changes in order to comply with building codes. He was a really good electrician and really good at a lot of things. He used to say; I don’t know what the heck I’m doing; and whatever he was working on would come out perfectly. The only thing he could not seem to do right was – tell a joke – not that he let that stop him, however. He would either give the punch line too early or forget it completely. On the other hand, he could always laugh at himself and he didn’t laugh at others’ expense. It was said that if he was whistling, he was happy, and my mom says that he was always whistling. While facing his own mortality in the Lahey Clinic emergency room, he was lying on a stretcher – half dressed in a hospital gown – he made sure he greeted each passerby. He explained this saying; I speak to them as they pass by because someone needs to give them hope. He spoke highly of his co-workers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He enjoyed working there for over 25 years. Yesterday several of his co-workers paid their respects at the funeral home and they said they missed his Moe-isms. When he retired, they gave him a plaque that reads; Nobody measures up to Moe. One day at work, someone said to him, Moe, what’s your last name? I want to thank my mother for taking such good care of my father. He was able to enjoy his last summer on this earth. He enjoyed having his family, friends and especially his grandchildren over and also the occasional wine in a paper cup. We want to give a special thanks to everyone who stepped up to take care of my father and to help my mother during this trying time. In closing, let me say that we love him. We all miss him. By his example, he taught us how to live, how to love, how to work, and his memory gives us all hope.