Obituary of John J. Todd

John Joseph Todd, of Duxbury passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at the age of 82. He spent the last year living life to the fullest while stoically and courageously battling cancer. John was born and raised in South Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Mary (Kearns) Todd and Harry T. Todd. He graduated from LaSalle College in Philadelphia, PA. After college, John worked as an executive at New York Life Insurance company for four decades. He is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Mary Irene “Jason” Todd. He is survived by his four children and their families: John J. Todd Jr. and his wife Lisa of Hingham; daughter Mary Frances "Missy" Battista and her husband Dana of Kingston; daughter Julia Armstrong and her husband David of Duxbury; and son Carl Todd and his wife Leigh of Scituate. John was fondly known as Granddaddy to his grandchildren: Julia and Amanda Todd; Maria and Anna Battista; Abigail, Christopher and Jordan Armstrong, and Daniel and William Todd. John is also survived by his sister Marjorie (Todd) Shaughnessy and her husband James of Raleigh, N.C. and brother Harry Todd and his wife Joan of Downingtown, Pa. John was active in community and charitable causes in Duxbury, prompting many to nickname him the “Mayor of Duxbury.” He was past chairman and long-time member of the Duxbury School Committee; a member of the Duxbury Housing Authority; a founder of Duxbury Youth Softball; a former president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Plymouth; a tireless volunteer at the Duxbury Senior Center and for the Duxbury Council on Aging, including organizing the group’s charitable golf tournament. For many years, he was the anchor of the “chain gang” at Duxbury High School football games. He could always be spotted at fields, gyms and auditoriums all over the South Shore attending the events of his grandchildren. In his own high school and college years, he spent countless hours rowing for his high school and college teams on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Above all he was a loving son, brother, husband, father, Granddaddy, brother and friend. He embraced life and taught us all to love and cherish our time with family and friends. We are all better for having him in our lives. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, November 5 from 1-5:00 p.m. at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, (Rt. 106) Kingston. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 6, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church in Duxbury. Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to the Friends of the Duxbury Council on Aging, P.O. Box 2113, Duxbury, MA, 02331.