John A. Doon Jr.

John A. Doon, Jr., 90, of Worcester, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025.

A lifelong Worcester resident, John was born on July 2, 1935, to John A. and Evelyn (White) Doon. He lived a long, full, and colorful life marked by creativity, kindness, and humor. For more than 64 years, he shared his life with his beloved wife, Eleanor; together they built a life of partnership, respect, and shared purpose

Education was one of John’s deepest passions. He graduated from St. John’s High School (‘53), earned his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the College of the Holy Cross (‘57), and received a master’s degree in History and Government with high honors from Clark University (‘59). He fulfilled a lifelong dream by earning an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (‘90). Early in his career, he was honored with the John Hay Fellowship at Northwestern University, an accolade he treasured.

John served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years and was honorably discharged.

A dedicated educator, John began his career teaching in the Lincoln-Sudbury High School and later worked at Boston State College during the challenging years of busing and desegregation. He met those challenges with patience, humor, and an unwavering belief in every student, inspiring many to think bigger, read more widely, and teach with heart. When Boston State closed, he joined Quinsigamond Community College as an assistant dean until retiring in 1997, remaining a mentor and encourager to generations of students.

Beyond his professional life, John was a devoted advocate for people with disabilities, particularly through his work with ARC in the early 1970s. His efforts helped open doors for his son, John, and countless other families navigating systems that were still learning how to provide support. He was also a member of the Greendale Retired Men’s Club.

John had an easy charm, a warm laugh, and a colorful style, often expressed in caps and bright cardigans. His humor was mischievous yet gentle, and his kindness was constant. He delighted in simple pleasures: homemade blueberry muffins and pumpkin pie, Christmas magic, clocks and trains, and collecting coins and stamps—along with the small rituals that made family life joyful and grounded.

He adored his children and grandchildren, who felt his steady love and presence throughout their lives. Through his humor, curiosity, and storytelling, he shaped them profoundly, leaving a lasting influence.

John is survived by his wife, Eleanor T. (Cronin); his children Patricia, Yarmouth Port, Mass. and Monterey, Calif.; John III, Leicester, Mass.; Elizabeth (Peter Marzbanian), New York City and Oak Bluffs, Mass.; and James, Hackensack, N.J.; and his grandchildren Michael and Julianna Sheridan, Beverly, Mass. He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy A. Foley, and many dear friends whose memory he cherished.

A calling hour will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at St. George’s Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial in St. John’s Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. John’s Scholarship Fund, 378 Main St, Shrewsbury, MA 01545—or honor his memory by offering a kind word to someone, something John did faithfully.