Former Boston drummer
Published in the March 29, 2017 edition
JOHN “SIB” HASHIAN
(Rebecca Gauchman Carr Photo)
LYNNFIELD — John T. “Sib” Hashian, a longtime Lynnfield resident, formerly of Lynn, died Thursday, March 23, 2017. Born in Boston on August 17, 1949, he was the son of the late James “Jack” and Giovanna “Jenny” (Trovato) Hashian. Sib, the youngest of four children, was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn English High School, Class of 1967. After receiving his first drum pad as a child, music became his passion. Sib earned money drumming as a young teen to help support his family. While in his late teens, he was playing seven sets a night, seven nights a week, in the club district of Boston honing his craft of drumming. Sib continued his education at Catholic University in Washington D.C., earning an associate’s degree. But, with the Vietnam draft looming, he chose to enlist into the United States Army Officer’s Candidate School. After successfully completing OCS, Sib served as a first lieutenant in the Vietnam War. Less than two years after being Honorably discharged from the Army, Sib reconnected with his musician friends from before the war to start the band Boston, which would go on to have one of the highest selling debut albums of all time. While on tour with Boston in 1979, Sib met the love of his life, Suzanne (Johnson), at Playboy club of Dallas. They married a year later. Together, they had shared 38 years of happiness. After playing with Boston, Sib owned many businesses including a record store, a restaurant, and a string of tanning salons. He also stayed involved with Charities such as My Brother’s Table and the Doug Floutie Foundation. Sib never stopped playing the drums and was the drummer for the band Ernie and the Automatics during the 2000’s. Sib loved playing golf, and participated in many local tournaments. He was also a big collector, most notably of retro sports and entertainment memorabilia. Above all, Sib just liked spending time with his family and friends. He was the beloved husband of Suzanne (Johnson) Hashian. He was the loving father of Aja Hashian and her husband Tim Freiburghouse of California; Lauren Hashian and her partner Dwayne Johnson of Florida; and Adam Hashian and his wife Mackensie of Melrose. He was the adoring grandfather of Jordan, Jasmine, Theodore, and Kyland. He was the brother of Michael Hashian of Oregon; Katherine Hashian of Lynnfield; and the late Tad Hashian. Visitation for relatives and friends at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sib’s name may be made to American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049. A message from Sib’s family: “We are so thankful for the outpouring of support from the community and the world. Knowing that Sib was so loved by his friends and fans helps us greatly during this sad time. He passed while playing the drums, something that he truly loved to do. His lifelong dedication to music has and will continue to inspire and bring joy to millions of people. He will be remembered most by his loved ones for his thoughtfulness of others and his hilarious sense of humor. He will be deeply missed. Sib would have wanted everyone to ‘KEEP ROCKIN’!!!!”
