Obituary of John Nathan

John L Nathan Born: August 20, 1969 Weight: 8 lbs, 8 oz Birthplace: St John’s Hospital, now known as St. Memorial, Lowell, Massachusetts Born with Down Syndrome with multi handicaps John has one sister, Jennifer Jean Nathan, married to Pete Grove and they have one child, Conner, age 2, living in Fall River, MA Father: Jack Nathan – Buddhist Mother: Susan Nathan – Jehovah’s Witnesses John with his mother and sister lived for 22 years at different places in Massachusetts. Growing up with Down Syndrome was not easy. Many challenges lay ahead for John at Boston Floating Hospital. Having an array of doctors, therapist, physical therapist, occupational and speech therapist, hearing, mental evaluations, not to mention the surgery. Some minor, some major, some life threatening. Some even making medical history and helping many, many other children with problems. He handled all of these with great courage and determination for one so young. His laughter and friendliness with his love of people was well known when his mother became ill and most of his medical and educational life stabilized, John went to live with his Dad in Western Massachusetts in Florence where he later died. As his mother became stronger he visited more often and came to the Kingdom Hall to worship Jehovah God and see his friends as he would say in Sign Language with ‘Great Joy’ and a ‘Big Smile.’ Many friends know John from Billerica, Tewksbury and Lowell Kingdom Halls often asking about him to his mother. John loved the truth—best known for his loud singing of Kingdom Songs and underlining his Bible Story book. Going from door-to-door was a joy for John often running to the door, banging loudly on the door and ringing the bell repeatedly with great excitement all at the same time. If the householder was not home, he would get angry, stomping one foot, making a growling noise and marching down the stairs shaking his book bag. If the householder was home he would greet them with a “Hi, How are you? My name is John,” demanding they take a magazine with a smile and a laugh that you just couldn’t say “No.” John’s heart was full of love for God and people. He looked forward to being able to speak and be like other people. He would speak in Sign Language to his mother about a New World when all would be new and he would be whole and see his beloved “Pa, Pa” (His grandfather) again. John has touched many, many hearts both out and in Jehovah’s organization. He is asleep now, safe in God’s memory. His family and friends are looking forward to welcoming him back with so many, many others—whole!