MELROSE — Dr. John Graham Goulding, 91, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Feb. 16.
John was born in Cambridge, one of two sons of the late Frederick C. and Ann Irene (Spaulding) Goulding. He was raised in Providence, R.I., where he graduated from LaSalle High School.
John attended Providence College for two years before his service to his country interrupted his studies. John served as a Naval Officer during World War II after graduating from Midshipmen’s School at Columbia University. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home and continued his studies at Trinity College and later received his Doctor of Osteopathy Degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
After settling in Melrose to raise a family, John embarked on long, distinguished career in medicine. He brought a sharp mind and natural warmth to the family medical office of Dr. Stuart Partridge in Malden. With a firm belief and knowledge in osteopathic medicine, John preached moderation in the use of antibiotics and used these methods to guide his practice. His affable nature and caring manner earned him the trust and respect of many patients over his 50 year career.
Eventually, John’s son, Richard, joined him where they practiced together for 25 years before John retired in 2005. John truly practiced family medicine and was known to serve as a surgical assist for many of his patients, gently delivered many newborn babies and had a strong knowledge across all medical disciplines.
Dr. Goulding served as the president of the Massachusetts Osteopathic Society for many years. Through his work with the Massachusetts Osteopathic Society, a group of doctors devoted to using osteopathic methods, he helped organize conferences and educational opportunities for the medical field throughout New England. Recognizing the need for osteopathic education, John helped establish the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. As a firm believer in the benefits of osteopathy, John was able to raise the level of awareness and education in the field of osteopathy across New England. For his part in advancing the field, John was the proud recipient of an honorary degree from the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
John was a man of integrity who effortlessly found the respect and admiration of patients, colleagues, friends and family. He served as the chairman for the City of Melrose Board of Health for over 35 years. He was also a member of the Ancient Mariners, a group of naval officers who gathered for annual forums and activities.
In addition to his devotion to medicine, John was deeply supportive of his family. He cherished the time he spent surrounded by his family and looked forward to yearly family vacations spent at Foster Pond in Bridgeton, Maine. John also loved traveling by car. He regularly explored New England with Christine and later in life took two adventurous cross country trips.
A firm believer in staying physically fit, John did his own yard work. Strong in both mind and spirit, John maintained his lawn with a manual lawnmower and always did his own shoveling. When not doing yard work, he loved golfing with his friends and family.
John was an intellectual man with a distinct interest in how the brain functioned. An avid reader, he read anything that piqued his interest and made him think. He also had an interest in technology and progressed along with the development of pagers, cell phones, computers and e-mail.
John will be lovingly remembered by his friends, patients and his lasting memory will live on the life lessons and experiences he shared with his family.
John was the beloved husband of Christine (Stone) Goulding with whom he shared 48 years of marriage and the late Barbara A. (King) Goulding. He was the devoted father of Christopher J. Goulding and his wife Teresa of Melrose, Richard K. Goulding of Andover, Pamela J. Reilly and her late husband John of Walpole, Cynthia B. FitzGerald and her husband Duncan of Wayland, Marc C. Goulding and his wife Aimee of Edmond, Okla. and Nicholas G. Goulding and his wife Jessica of Austin, Texas. He was the dear brother of the late Frederick C. “Teddy” Goulding. He was the cherished grandfather of Gregory Goulding and his wife Emma of Chicago, Christian Reilly and his wife Nikki of Marshfield, Scott Reilly and his wife Jennifer of Norwood, Whitney FitzGerald and her fiancé Nick Largura of Neptune Beach, Fla., Todd FitzGerald of Boston, Spencer FitzGerald of Wayland, Nathaniel Goulding of Austin, Texas and Havia Goulding of Austin, Texas. He was the loving great-grandfather of Collin, Finn, Liam, Maggie and John.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of John’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m., and again on Monday morning at 9 a.m. before leaving in procession to the Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose, for his funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m.
Interment with military honors presented by the U.S. Navy in Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge.
Gifts honoring John’s contribution to osteopathic medicine may be made to the Dr. John G. Goulding Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o University of New England, 716 Stevens Ave., Portland ME 04103 (une.edu/giving)
For online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
