John G. Ogden

John Ogden of Worcester, MA passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with two forms of cancer.

John Ogden was a veteran, a family man, a friend, an entrepreneur, a music lover, and a charismatic storyteller.

John was born in Detroit, MI in 1938 to Guy Ogden and Gertrude L. Ogden (Boyce). However, the family left Michigan and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And it was here, in the City of Brotherly Love, that he was raised. John’s devotion to Philadelphia remained constant throughout his lifetime; he kept in touch with neighborhood friends and even attended his grammar school reunion in 2016 at the age of 78.

Following his high school graduation, John joined the army. He was proud of his service and loved sharing many fond and funny memories of traveling through Europe with his army buddies in a 1954 Chevy Bel Air they called “The Beast,” which continually needed roadside repairs.

After his time in the army, John attended Temple University. Then, he met Janice Price on the Philly L train. The story of their meeting was his favorite to tell, and he told it often, each time as if he were reliving it and inviting listeners to relive it with him. With unabashed glee, he’d affirm that Janice was the love of his life from the moment he first saw her, continuing on to explain how he summoned the courage to ask one of her friends for her phone number, and then how he’d summoned “even more courage” to actually call her.

John and Janice married in 1963 and had three children together.

John was a truly talented salesman who worked for Olivetti typewriters, Sun Oil company, Arrow Automotive, Webstone, and other companies before eventually starting his own Manufacturer’s Representative business selling high-end kitchen and bath products. He enjoyed great success as a self-employed businessman and continued to work calling on showrooms until a few months shy of his passing. Many family members worked with him and for him over the years.

John and Janice and their three children lived in West Reading and Langhorne Pennsylvania before moving to Stow, Massachusetts in 1978 where they lived together for many years before downsizing to Hudson and then Leominster.

When Janice started to lose her vision and was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, John was her caretaker for years before agreeing to let others care for her in a memory care facility in Fitchburg. John visited Janice every day. Everyday, he played their favorite music from his phone through his giant blue-tooth speaker. The staff enjoyed them both. John explained that Janice loved dancing “the Geriatric Jitterbug” with him. It was a sight. She in her wheelchair, and him holding her hands while ‘dancing’ to the music. John had a vast collection of music on his phone—everything from the Ray Coniff Singers and ELO to Donna Summer and Fleetwood Mac.

John’s nurses at The Overlook in Charlton made sure his music was on at all times, as it was a great comfort to him, along with his Frameo electronic photo frame that displayed family photos and super 8 movies from the 60s and 70s.

Anyone who met John was immediately shown photos of his beloved wife and was told the story of how they met. John had friends all over the country and made it a point to stay in touch and check on them. He was always quick with a joke, fatherly advice, business advice, or just an ear eager to listen. John will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is survived by his children, Karen Ogden of Charlton, Diane Vella (and Mark) of Lunenburg, Tom Ogden (and Laura) of Brimfield, three grandchildren, Keenan Vella (and Hannah) of Lunenburg, Chloe Vella of Sterling, and Emily Ogden of Brimfield, and two great-grandchildren, Payton and Casey. He is also survived by his three sisters, Phebe (and John Watlington) of Virginia, Grace Ogden of Maryland, Susan Galvan of Maryland, and brother Mark Ogden (and Barbara) of London.

A private family service will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon the week of April 21. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date for friends to gather and share memories of John.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Leah Biller of Dana Farber for her kind and compassionate care throughout John’s last few years, as well as the nurses and CNAs on the third floor of The Overlook in Charlton. While his stay at The Overlook was very short, the care he received was exceptional. 

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