John F. Decker

HOLDEN – John F. Decker, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center-University campus. Born in Worcester and raised in Holden, he was a son of the late Thomas and Helen (Frost) Decker.

John attended Wachusett Regional High School and was a graduate of Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. He attended Colby College in Waterville, ME and went on to further his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston University and a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University.

In his youth, John was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Holden along with his family. It became evident at an early age that John would become an excellent athlete. Basketball was his true love, he played in both High School and College and was awarded MVP recognition at KUA in both his junior and senior years. In later years he thoroughly enjoyed coaching Youth Basketball in Attleboro. It was also in Attleboro where he joined the family business, Midland Supply, Inc. as a salesman selling to Vocational Schools, and Governmental Agencies. He stayed nearly 25 years until his retirement. In recent years John often wintered in Melbourne, FL where he had worked as a bartender many years ago.

John had a very outgoing personality and had many wonderful friends. His special joy, was family get togethers with his close cousins, Joan & Buzz Zaramba, Joe Decker, Judy Crosier, Jeanie Johnson, and Jacqui Frost.
He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his brother, Thomas E. Decker, Jr. and his wife, Elaine of Attleboro, nieces and nephews including Karen Decker-Gendron and her husband, George of Canterbury, NH, Terrence Decker of Providence, RI, Kathleen Coughlin and her husband, Daniel of Dorchester, Laura Kirshenbaum and her spouse, Shannon of Holden, and Renee DeVore and her husband, Jason of Milford; and ten great nieces and nephews.

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with John’s family from 10:30 to 12:00 pm on Sunday, March 3 in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street Holden. John’s funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm in the funeral home. John will be buried in Grove Cemetery in the springtime. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn. Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.