John K. Hodson

John Kevin Hodson, Sr, a proud veteran of both the Marine Corps and Navy, passed away suddenly on June 18, 2025.

The son of Franklin E. Hodson, Sr and Eleanor L. (Ruggles) Hodson, John grew up in Wakefield, MA. He was born on May 23, 1952, in Stoneham, MA and graduated from Greater Boston Academy in 1970. He also received numerous military training school certifications throughout his career.

Immediately after high school, John enlisted in the Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War. He valued this service highly, attaining the rank of Corporal and holding a Top Secret security clearance. He served in Okinawa, in the Philippines, and on the USS Jouett (DLG- 29). After 3 years with the Marines, he transferred to the Navy. He served 19 years in the Navy starting on the USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39) in San Diego and then on to Submarine service, retiring as an ETC-SS Chief Petty Officer with a rank of E-7. He was a plankowner for the USS Memphis (SSN-691), served on the USS Honolulu (SSN-718) and USS Baltimore (SSN-704) as a reactor operator, and as an instructor at the US Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit in Windsor, CT. Throughout his career, John received the following commendations: Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star, Enlisted Submarine “Silver Dolphins,” Third Good Conduct Medal, Navy “E,” USS Honolulu Letter of Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Rifle Marksman Badge, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation.

After serving his country for 22 years, John worked as an electrical and instrumentation engineer in power plants in North Carolina, Virginia, and Massachusetts. He retired from the UMass Medical School power plant in 2015. His success in life can be directly attributed to his work ethic, his generosity, and his natural mathematical ability. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the military never left him, as friends and family will attest.

John was an animal and nature lover, motorcycle enthusiast, and loved travel and getting to experience new places and cultures. He was a member of the United States Submarine Veterans Marblehead Base, a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association, and other veterans’ organizations. He was always ready to help others without need for recognition.

John and his family are ever grateful to the anonymous liver donor, their family, and the UMass transplant team for giving him an additional decade of life.

John, who loved his family above all else, is survived by his wife of 51 years Maureen (Poirier) and their children John, Jr (Jill) and Kristy. He also leaves behind 3 grandchildren: Dean (Steven Lemieux), Luke, and Kate; his brothers: Frank, Jr (Winnie), David (Jenny), and Randy (Ann); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Jacqui (Hodson) Evans.

A service honoring John’s life will be held on August 9, 2025, at the College Church of Seventh- day Adventists in Lancaster, MA at 4 pm. A private internment will take place at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.

Donations in his memory may be made to New England Donor Services at neds.org or the US Submarine Veterans’ Charitable Foundation at ussvi.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John K. Hodson, please visit our floral store.