CHELMSFORD- John Raymond McGaughey, 90, a resident of Chelmsford, formerly of Lowell, passed away peacefully at Sunny Acres Nursing Home on April 22, 2017. He was the husband of the late Mildred (Lyon) McGaughey who was the love of his life and passed in 2007.

John was born in Lowell, MA on January 24, 1927, a son of the late Henry and Florence (Purtell) McGaughey. He was educated in the Lowell schools and immediately following graduation from Lowell High he honorably served his country in the US Army/Air Force during WWII.

Upon discharge, he worked at Fort Devens as an engineer before starting his life long passion as a devoted firefighter for the City of Lowell. He served the city proudly for 38 years achieving the rank of Lieutenant. Prior to becoming a diabetic, he held his pilots license and enjoyed taking his future wife on tours of the Merrimack Valley. His greatest love was spending time with family and friends always ready to go for a coffee or a meal, especially with “The Breakfast Club” made up of fellow retired firefighters or his dear brother-in-law Gene. During his retirement he loved to travel and watch the Red Sox. Most of all he was seen by many at local athletic fields, basketball courts, hockey rinks, and performance centers always there to cheer on his grandchildren.

John is survived by his son, Timothy J. McGaughey and his wife Annemarie of Chelmsford and 3 grandchildren; Katelyn, Ryan and Mark; brothers-in-law Eugene Welch and Raymond Crouse along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, John is sadly predeceased by his son, Shaun M. McGaughey. He is also predeceased by his siblings: Doris Giarusso, Thelma McKeon, Robert McGaughey, Mary Lou Doherty, Paul McGaughey, and Claire Welch along with brothers-in-law Francis McKeon, James Doherty and sisters-in-law Eileen McGaughey and Jane Crouse.

John's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Sunny Acres Nursing Home for the loving care they bestowed upon him during his time there.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 25, 2017 from 4PM until 8PM in the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 9 AM in St. Mary Parish, 25 North Road, Chelmsford.

KINDLY MEET AT CHURCH.

Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, TEWKSBURY.

For those who wish, donations in loving memory of John can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004.