Obituary for John Albert Clauson
John Albert “Uncle” Clauson, of Milford, CT, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2022 with family at his side.
John was born on September 21, 1935 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Doris (Anderson) and Frederick Clauson. John grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts alongside his beloved brother, Freddie. His love for Maine, God’s Country, began in his happy childhood spending weekends and vacations with his family and extended family in Liberty, Maine.
John was a dedicated and reliable employee for GTE Sylvania in Waltham, Massachusetts, then Honeywell Bull in Billerica, Massachusetts until his retirement.
John lived in many places in his lifetime: Arlington, Chelmsford, and Billerica, Massachusetts; Acton, and So. Berwick, Maine; Weaverville, North Carolina; Niceville, Florida; and Milford, Connecticut.
No matter where John lived, he found adventure. He loved to go exploring whether it be in his truck, or more likely on his bicycle. He would hop on his bike and ride for miles and miles, doing so well into his 80s. John became well known by the communities in which he lived because of the countless miles he traveled on his bike. This broad recognition was captured well in the words of a community member who once said, “Wait, your uncle is the singing bicyclist? When we see him coming, my family rushes out to the porch to watch him pass, singing aloud or whistling as he rides by on his cherry red bike. We love him!”
The greatest accomplishment of John’s life is just that. Love. He was so loved. And he loved, so. He was gifted with a profound love for family. He was an extraordinary uncle. He was a magnet with children. All children were immediately drawn to him, and he to them. He had an uncanny memory for people (not their names!) and events, and was so skilled at showing interest in the lives and worlds of others. He lived 87 years without a complaint or negative word about anyone.
John found beauty and expressed joy in all that he did. He loved flat roads, birch trees, the color red, eating, going on adventures, mowing the lawn, swimming, riding his bike, painting, coloring, country music, Elvis, Maine, nature, antique cars, looking through old family photos, fried clams, parades, Christmas lights, family gatherings and time with people. His sweet perspective and sunny disposition will be so missed.
Uncle is predeceased by his beloved brother, Frederick Clauson, nephew, Jon (Diesel) Clauson, and great nephew John Clauson. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Phyllis Clauson; nephew Rick (Rocky) Clauson (Dawn); niece-in-law Vera Clauson; and niece Carole (Cinderella I) Swift (Raymond). He is well known and well loved by many great nieces and nephews: Daniel Boone Stoddard (Aline), Erik the Red Clauson (Erica), Ray Milan Swift (Courtney (Corky)), Christopher Columbus Clauson (Carla), Andretta Cinderella Swift, Andrew McGillicuddy Clauson (Vickey), Wade Rocky Clauson, Ricky Ricardo Swift (Mayra), Davey Crockett Clauson (Sam), Charlotte Cinderella Clauson (Brendan), Matthew McGillicuddy Clauson, Joe E. Brown Clauson (Frannie), and Lillie Cinderella Wright (Chris).
Uncle loved getting updates and news of the arrival of his great, great nieces and nephews. He loved having time with them and, true to form, this brand new batch of Cinderellas and Tigers (pronounced Tiga) lit up with his attention. Ben, Levi, James, Owen, Parker, Josiah, Samuel, Abigail, Chloe, Liam, Alex, Lucas, Richard, Emma, Ray, and baby Wright will know of Uncle John from their time with him, shared memories of him, and the deep love for him that will live on through all of us who loved him dearly.
Beyond all of Uncle’s blood related nieces and nephews, he was known as and called Uncle by many, generations of many, in fact. And loved by all similarly. Simply stated, if you met him, you loved him.
Our family sends a heartfelt thank you to Ron and Molly Miller, and Mary and Darren Haggerty, and all of Uncle’s dear friends (residents and staff) at Four Corners Rest Home. He loved living in this sweet place he called home for the last 11 years. We are so grateful for the loving care these wonderful people gave to Uncle.
A funeral service for John will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Central Congregational Church, 1 Worthen Street, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.
John was born on September 21, 1935 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Doris (Anderson) and Frederick Clauson. John grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts alongside his beloved brother, Freddie. His love for Maine, God’s Country, began in his happy childhood spending weekends and vacations with his family and extended family in Liberty, Maine.
John was a dedicated and reliable employee for GTE Sylvania in Waltham, Massachusetts, then Honeywell Bull in Billerica, Massachusetts until his retirement.
John lived in many places in his lifetime: Arlington, Chelmsford, and Billerica, Massachusetts; Acton, and So. Berwick, Maine; Weaverville, North Carolina; Niceville, Florida; and Milford, Connecticut.
No matter where John lived, he found adventure. He loved to go exploring whether it be in his truck, or more likely on his bicycle. He would hop on his bike and ride for miles and miles, doing so well into his 80s. John became well known by the communities in which he lived because of the countless miles he traveled on his bike. This broad recognition was captured well in the words of a community member who once said, “Wait, your uncle is the singing bicyclist? When we see him coming, my family rushes out to the porch to watch him pass, singing aloud or whistling as he rides by on his cherry red bike. We love him!”
The greatest accomplishment of John’s life is just that. Love. He was so loved. And he loved, so. He was gifted with a profound love for family. He was an extraordinary uncle. He was a magnet with children. All children were immediately drawn to him, and he to them. He had an uncanny memory for people (not their names!) and events, and was so skilled at showing interest in the lives and worlds of others. He lived 87 years without a complaint or negative word about anyone.
John found beauty and expressed joy in all that he did. He loved flat roads, birch trees, the color red, eating, going on adventures, mowing the lawn, swimming, riding his bike, painting, coloring, country music, Elvis, Maine, nature, antique cars, looking through old family photos, fried clams, parades, Christmas lights, family gatherings and time with people. His sweet perspective and sunny disposition will be so missed.
Uncle is predeceased by his beloved brother, Frederick Clauson, nephew, Jon (Diesel) Clauson, and great nephew John Clauson. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Phyllis Clauson; nephew Rick (Rocky) Clauson (Dawn); niece-in-law Vera Clauson; and niece Carole (Cinderella I) Swift (Raymond). He is well known and well loved by many great nieces and nephews: Daniel Boone Stoddard (Aline), Erik the Red Clauson (Erica), Ray Milan Swift (Courtney (Corky)), Christopher Columbus Clauson (Carla), Andretta Cinderella Swift, Andrew McGillicuddy Clauson (Vickey), Wade Rocky Clauson, Ricky Ricardo Swift (Mayra), Davey Crockett Clauson (Sam), Charlotte Cinderella Clauson (Brendan), Matthew McGillicuddy Clauson, Joe E. Brown Clauson (Frannie), and Lillie Cinderella Wright (Chris).
Uncle loved getting updates and news of the arrival of his great, great nieces and nephews. He loved having time with them and, true to form, this brand new batch of Cinderellas and Tigers (pronounced Tiga) lit up with his attention. Ben, Levi, James, Owen, Parker, Josiah, Samuel, Abigail, Chloe, Liam, Alex, Lucas, Richard, Emma, Ray, and baby Wright will know of Uncle John from their time with him, shared memories of him, and the deep love for him that will live on through all of us who loved him dearly.
Beyond all of Uncle’s blood related nieces and nephews, he was known as and called Uncle by many, generations of many, in fact. And loved by all similarly. Simply stated, if you met him, you loved him.
Our family sends a heartfelt thank you to Ron and Molly Miller, and Mary and Darren Haggerty, and all of Uncle’s dear friends (residents and staff) at Four Corners Rest Home. He loved living in this sweet place he called home for the last 11 years. We are so grateful for the loving care these wonderful people gave to Uncle.
A funeral service for John will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Central Congregational Church, 1 Worthen Street, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford.