John J. Ridge

John Joseph Ridge of Londonderry NH, originally of South Boston, MA passed away peacefully on Thursday July 23rd after a battle with congestive heart failure.

Born on January 9th, 1956, John was the oldest of five. He graduated from South Boston High School and was a star swimmer for the Boys and Girls Club. One of his proudest achievement was earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Boston College after thirteen years of night school while working full time to support his growing family.

John was a loving husband to his sweetheart of 41 years, Patricia (Haines), devoted father to Colleen and her husband Kevin, of Marshfield, Patti and her husband Stephen of Milton, Matthew and his wife Nikki of Somerville, Kaitlyn and her husband Kasey of Dover, NH, Son in law of Catherine Haines of So Boston.  Cherished brother of Mary Powell, Dorthy Mague, Kevin Ridge and Mildred Ridge.  Loving “Papa” of Ethan, Madelyn, Chase and Avery.  

John had a long career as a natural gas controller, which took him and his family to Houston, Texas for eleven years. He worked nights, weekends and holidays to provide his family with a comfortable and happy home.  He was able to bribe his children into coming to Texas with the promise of a dog, which turned into three - Bernie, Bella and his dearest, Bailey.

John also known as “Papa” was an amazing grandfather to his 4 grandchildren.  He would drive long distances from Londonderry to Marshfield  for basketball games and all over MA to frigid hockey rinks which Papa would  do with a smile and a Dunkin Donuts coffee in hand. Papa was so proud of his grandchildren and loved telling them jokes, teaching them card games and giving a huge “bear hug.” He passed on his love of double-skunking at cribbage to his grandchildren.

A life-long Rolling Stones fan, John was known to have an uncanny ability to remember the lyrics to every song he ever heard and enjoyed singing along. John was an avid World War II enthusiast who always dreamed of visiting Pearl Harbor.  John and his family enjoyed a fruitful twenty years of Boston sports, which he religiously supported.  John was a generous and welcoming host, whose love of cooking and exuberant sense of humor will be dearly missed by his loved ones. 

The Ridge family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hospice & Pallative Care Federation of Massachusetts are appreciated.

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