Awarded two Purple Hearts; Food Pantry volunteer enjoyed gardening, attending Red Sox games
NORTH READING — On Saturday, August 20, 2022, John R. Wiklanski, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 73.
John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ellen Paulsen Wiklanski, his daughter Kathryn Mellouk and her husband Aniss, and grandson Max of Dedham, and his daughter Elizabeth Adams and her fiancé Jayson Salter of North Reading.
John is also survived by his siblings, Mary Boris of Novi, Michigan; Karen Griffith and her husband Ray of Pellston, Michigan; Barb Pierce and her husband Rob of Brutus, Michigan; Rita Wright and her husband Russ of Breckenridge, Michigan; Lucy Shippy and her husband Dave of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Dan Wiklanski of Lewiston, Michigan. He is preceded in death by siblings Marge Boris, Grace Spears, Dick Wiklanski, and Rose Lohrmann. John also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
John was born on July 17, 1949 in Petoskey, Michigan to Stanley and Maud (Caldwell) Wiklanski. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1967 – 1970, where he was crew chief for the “Firebirds” helicopter unit, earning two Purple Hearts for his heroism in battle. He attended East Coast Aero Tech in Bedford, and worked as a Quality Manager for Barry Controls for 37 years.
He enjoyed road running, and was a member of the Greater Lowell Road Runners and eventually started his own informal running group which he named “The Beer Chasers Track Club.”
Upon retiring in 2009, John continued with many volunteer endeavors, most notably with the North Reading Food Pantry. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, attending Red Sox games at Fenway Park with his wife, Ellen, throwing the ball to his beloved dog, Yaz, and taking his grandson Max on tractor rides in the backyard.
A visitation for family and friends was held at the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, North Reading on Wednesday, August 24 from 4 to 7 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, on Thursday, August 25 at 11 a.m. The service will be available via live stream at www.youtube.com/watch?v=auYW24bStAY.
Please omit flowers and make donations in John’s memory to: North Reading Food Pantry, 150 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864 or New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court St., PO Box 845257, Boston, MA 02108 or online at https://nechv.org/donations/tribute-giving/. To send an online message of condolence please go to www.cotafuneralhomes.com.
