Obituary of John Edward MacPhail

John “Eddie” MacPhail, a retired pharmacist and drug store owner, passed away after an extended illness on Friday morning, October 18, 2024.  He was 83 years old.  Eddie was born in Somerville.  He was one of nine children born to John E. and Mary L. MacPhail.  His family of 11 lived in a second-floor apartment in Medford.  The Salterio family moved into the downstairs apartment when he was 4 years old and they had a daughter named Joyce who was the same age.  Eddie and Joyce were childhood friends and playmates.  When they were 16 years old, Eddie asked Joyce to the Malden Catholic High School Prom, and they have been a couple ever since.  At the age of 20 they married.  At the age of 83, they would jokingly say that they have lived together for 78 years and married for 63 years.  They were a very special couple which brought out the best in both of them.  They worked, raised their family, traveled, gardened, worshipped, cooked, and did almost everything else together as a team. 

Eddie graduated from Malden Catholic High School and then earned his pharmacist degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston.  He had a long and meaningful career as a pharmacist.  He started at the Monotomy Pharmacy in Arlington.  He then worked for over 20 years at Corbett Drug in Belmont.  He then purchased his father-in-law’s business, Trinity Pharmacy in Lexington, which he ran for over 20 years.  Tired of fighting the big chain stores, he closed his business in 1999 and ended his career working in the pharmacy department of Target in Woburn.  He worked in a time when drug stores and pharmacists were personal, where they knew your name and your children’s name, and a personal touch was the norm as compared to today’s welcoming of “Name and date of birth”.  Many of his clients called him “Dr. Ed”.  He was always there for everyone he served.  He made time to listen to their concerns, share his knowledge and wisdom, offered reassuring confidence that everything will be alright, step away for a private conversation, and in countless other ways Eddie always went the extra mile for his customers whom he treated like family.  The drug store was truly a family business.  His wife Joyce worked part time, and his children worked for him at some point during their lives.  His children didn’t follow his career path, but they learned so much about work ethics, empathy, treating others with respect, and being kind should be the norm. 

Eddie worked long hours, but always made time for his children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends.  He went to their school and sporting events and anything else that was important to them.  He taught his children to be independent, confident, and that with some creativity anything can be fixed.  He was always present and supportive to each in unique and special ways. He enjoyed vacations with Joyce and family and friends to Aruba, Alaska, Wyoming, Scotland, Iceland, and other fun and memorable destinations.  He had his Sunday morning routine of 7:30 mass at St. Margarets Church followed by a family breakfast.  He loved all sports and was crushing his son-in-laws and grandsons in their fantasy football league this year.  He holds a special place in the hearts of his family for his crusty marshmallow demeanor.

Eddie was the beloved husband of Joyce M. (Salterio) MacPhail.  He was the caring and loving father of Laureen Goodwin & her husband Jim of St. Petersburg, FL, Colleen Kagrise & her husband Dave of Clermont, FL, and Eddie MacPhail & his wife Patty of Billerica.  He was the proud grandfather of Danielle Swain, Ryan Kagrise, Brandon Kagrise, Shane Rickman, Kyle MacPhail, and Joshua Kagrise.  He was the brother of Donald MacPhail of CA, Carol Mixon of Billerica, the late Marie Roy, Kennth MacPhail, Barbara Schramm, Edna Sennet, Georgianna Mikol, and Virginia “Ginnie” Kelly.  Eddie was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Wednesday, October 23 from 4-7 p.m.  and Thursday, October 24 from 9 to 9:30.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Eddie’s name may be made to St. Veronica Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803 or Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Center,www.pregnancyma.com,  P.O. Box 153, Burlington, MA 01803.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net