Obituary of John S. Machado

John S. Machado, a retired engineer and inventor, passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Friday morning, September 26, 2014. He was 80 years old. John was born in Aveiro, Portugal, the son of the late Antonio and Maria Machado. At the age of 9, John’s family immigrated to the United States settling in Cambridge. He was a graduate of Cambridge Technical High School where he found his aptitude in design. At the age of 17, he started working for his first any only employer, United Electric Controls in Watertown. He was called to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the 537th MP Company and served most of his tour of duty in Germany. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Occupation Medal. He continued his support of the US Military as a member of the VFW, Post 8818 in Cambridge. After his service to his country he returned to United Electric Controls where he progressed from a draftsman to engineer. He worked extensively with pressure controls and thermostats and even earned a patent for one of his designs. He enjoyed the comradery of his company and his work challenges and retired after working 47 years with the company. John was always happiest at his home and surrounded by his family. He had lived in Woburn for the past 52 years and was always working around his home, maintaining his flower and vegetable gardens. He encouraged his children and later his grandchildren in their sports, activities, and life choices. He was their biggest fan and was always in the stands or sidelines of their track meets, soccer, basketball, and hockey games. He particularly enjoyed building model planes with his grandchildren. He loved the game of golf and was a regular at Fresh Pond Golf Course in Cambridge. He enjoyed summer vacations spent at the beach of Seabrook, NH and traveling with his wife. He was blessed to have a large loving family whom he adored. John was the loving husband of 60 years of Margaret Mary (Doody) Machado. He was the loving father of Susan Brady & her husband Frank of Marstons Mills, John of Framingham, Karen Doe & her husband William of Melrose, James of Hyannis, and Julie Lasota & her husband Matthew formerly of Woburn. He was the father-in-law of Patricia Machado of Charlestown. John was the brother of Amelia Collins of Maynard, Rosemary Russo of Wilmington, and the late Aline Fitzpatrick. He was the proud grandfather of Jessica Bonassera, Erica Menard, Vanessa & Rachel Doe, William Brady, Michael, Jason, & Joseph Machado, and Matthew, Alec, & Shane Lasota. He was also survived by 6 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Monday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday from 3-6 p.m. Interment in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the Pediatric Transplant Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Hunnewell 3, Boston, MA 02115