Obituary of John Ganley

John “Red” Ganley passed away after a brief illness at the Woburn Nursing Center in Woburn on Sunday morning, January 11, 2009. He was 85 years old. John was born in Woburn the son of the late George and Bertha Ganley. He grew up in Woburn and Burlington. He was one of fifteen children living in a small home in Burlington. He learned from his parents the importance of family, cooperation, and concern for others. He followed these values throughout his life. He loved being around family and friends and always enjoyed sharing a good conversation about current events, politics, or whatever interested the person he was talking with. He always greeted you with a handshake and big hello. John proudly served his country in WW II in the Army Air Corp. He was a member of the 603rd Air Engineers Squadron as part of the 509th Composite Group. He was stationed in the Western Pacific on Tinian Island. On August 6, 1945 the Enola Gay, a B-29 stationed at Tinian Island, dropped the world's first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. He was the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and was part of one of the most historic events in military history. After his discharge, he continued his support of the United States miltary through his involvement in the American Legion. John was a talented craftsman working for 33 years with the Masons Union. In his retirement years he worked for the Burlington School Department in their maintenance department. As a hobby, he made furniture in his workshop at home. Some of his projects included, deacon benches, chests, adirondeck chairs, and other types of wood furniture, which have become family heirlooms. John had a number of interests. He was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed freshwater, salt water, and ice fishing. His family described him as the best darn fisherman Horn Pond ever saw. He enjoyed gardening and baking. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons. John was the loving partner of 35 years of Nancy Brooks of Wilmington. He was the former husband of the late Barbara (Ellis) Ganley. He was the loving father of Jack & his wife Kelley of Lynn, Colleen Vandeway & her husband Robert of Indiana, Robert & his wife Susan of Burlington, David & his wife Robin of Mansfield, and the late Joanne Feeney. He was the father-in-law of Richard Griffin & Archie Feeney and stepfather of Sue Harper, John, Paul, Nance, and Jim Brooks. He was the brother of Donald, Charlene Hagan, Jerry all of Burlington, the late Ruth Hill, Pearl Parsons, George, William, Jimmy, Steve, David, Dickie, Warren, and Robert Ganley. He was also survived by 21 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Funeral services will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational Church, 6 Lexington Street, Burlington on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. Life member of the Burlington American Legion Post 273 and WW II Veteran. For directions, obituary, & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net