John Joseph Lonergan

John Joseph Lonergan, age 100 years, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2018. Born at home in East Braintree on January 29, 1918, to Frank Edward and Mary Grace Lonergan, he was a graduate of Boston University's Schools of Business Management and Law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1942. He served in the US Army during World War II, a four year veteran, discharged as Captain, Judge Advocate General Department.  John was employed for 37 years by the Commercial Union Insurance Company (formerly Employers Liability Assurance Company) serving in the claims, legal, and underwriting departments.  He retired in 1983 as a manager in the Home Office Surety Department.  He also served as President of the Surety underwriters Association of New England from 1970-1971.

A Scituate resident since 1950, John was active in many community activities, including Little League, serving as a coach and the Boy Scouts, where as a former Eagle Scout he served in various capacities. In retirement, he developed hobbies of organ playing, wood carving, and golf and was a member of the Scituate Golf Club for several years. He also donated his time to the Pine Street Inn in Boston.

John was predeceased, in 2006 by his wife, Helen (neè McNamara), whom he met at a USO dance and married on February 3, 1945.  In later years, he and Helen were active in ballroom dancing and were members of three dance groups.  He was also predeceased by his sister, Ruth Colburn, and brothers Frank and Willard.  He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his five children: Kevin Lonergan and his wife Diane of Merrimack, NH, Peter Lonergan and his wife Jennifer of Weston, CT, Arlene Goetz and her husband Philip of Carbondale, CO, Mary Helen Lonergan and her husband Alex Seid of Pebble Beach, CA, and Jane Lonergan of Brunswick, ME.  He leaves eight grandchildren, Kristen Lonergan and her husband, Tom Miale, Dylan, Wyatt, and Bryan Lonergan, Taylor Goetz, Terrence and Ana Seid, Christopher Seid, and Annelise Hansen.  He also leaves four great-grandchildren, Nathaniel and Eleanor Miale and Keegan and Kennedy Seid.

Through 100 years and 8 months, John/Pop/Daddy/Grandpa/Grandpa John/GreatGrandpa lived a life of honesty, integrity, and devotion to his family and faith, we are grateful for his love, advice, and presence in all of ours.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate John during visiting hours on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 from 4-7 pm in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 160 So. Main St. (across from St. Anthony Church), Cohasset, MA. 02025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 11 am in St. Anthony Church, Cohasset. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Scituate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to The Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 or to the Scituate Animal Shelter, 780 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, Scituate, MA. 02066.

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