Obituary of John Albert McDonough

John Albert McDonough, retired Director of Operations at Capeway Tours and a retired Massachusetts State Trooper,  passed away at his home with his family at his bedside on Saturday morning, December 29, 2018.  He was 85 years old. John was born in Dorchester.  He was the son of Irish immigrants, Myles and Barbara McDonough.  He grew up in Dorchester in Saint Mark’s Parish and was a graduate of Boston English High School.  He joined the Massachusetts State Police in his early 20’s and was assigned to their Concord Barracks.  Back then, you lived in the Barracks during your scheduled work week.  He served as a State Trooper during his 20’s and 30’s.  His time as a Mass Trooper was very eventful.   He was involved with the major crime stories of the day.

He then opted for a change in life and took a position at Capeway Tours, Inc.  It was a decision he never regretted.  He worked with the company from age 33 to 83. The company which encompassed 8 different bus companies including, Brush Hill Tours, Plymouth & Brockton St. Railway Co., and McGinn Bus Company, Boston and Beantown Trolleys, and others specializing in school bus, local transit, and shuttles services.  There were well over a 100 coaches, buses, and trolleys in the fleet.  John had his finger on all of them in some way.  The company was owned by the Anzuoni family and John held the highest position that wasn’t family controlled.  He was well esteemed with the transportation business.  The company was a huge part of his life and he was proud to have contributed to it success during his 50 years with them.

John also had a life outside of work that included his church, community, and family.  He and his wife, Mary, moved to Burlington in 1960.  They were involved at the inception of St. Malachy’s Church which was built in 1963.  Over the years, he was a faithful and supportive parishioner, usher, CCD teacher, and Lecturer at masses.  He was deeply involved in youth sports as a parent and as an umpire.  He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Burlington where he was a member of the Bingo Committee, helped in the fundraising events, attended socials, and was part of the K of C friend group fondly known as the “Irish Mafia”.  He believed in staying fit and was known for his brisk pace while walking the neighborhood.  He enjoyed flower gardening, and maintaining his home and yard.  He was a man devoted to his family.  He and his wife Mary shared 60 years of marriage together.  They raised their 3 sons and welcomed into their family two daughters-in-laws, and 7 grandchildren.  They loved traveling.  In the early years, there were family bus trips to Florida and Washington DC. When the boys grew up, John and Mary’s vacations became international.  Over the years, they visited 21 countries and experienced different cultures and countless tourist “Must See” destinations.  There were also the yearly vacations to Sippewissett Campground and Cabins in Falmouth.  It was the gathering place for the Tessier side of the family for decades.  The cousins created a bond that could never be broken from those many years of family fun.  He was a strong role model for his sons as well as for all his grandchildren.  He was a man of great wisdom and experience, but who could also be humorous and bit of a jokester.  He lived his life well, work was a source of pride, was a strong provider, and loved his family wholly.

John was the beloved husband of Mary L. (Tessier) McDonough. He was the loving father of John A. McDonough, Jr. & his wife Robin of Natick, Timothy McDonough & his wife Rachel of Billerica, and Andrew McDonough of Billerica. He was the brother of Nancy “Ann” McDonald of Quincy, Barbara Bailey of Dorchester, and the late Joseph, Myles, and Walter McDonough. He was the proud grandfather of Emily, Joanna, Shea, Connor John, and Meagan McDonough, and Daniel & Mairav Shamir.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Jan. 2 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the RCS Learning, 6 Strathmore Rd, Natick, MA 01760 or www.rcslearning.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.saint-malachy.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net