Physical Education Director of the former Wakefield YMCA
WAKEFIELD — John Ludlow, 74, a longtime Wakefield resident, died Monday, February 21 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Born in Newark, New Jersey on March 27, 1947 he was the son of the late Theodore and Agnes (Stone) Ludlow.
Mr. Ludlow was raised in Newark, Delaware, where his family’s home was abutting the campus of The University of Delaware, thus beginning a lifelong love for the UDel Blue Hens. He was a fan of all of the sports teams, but most especially their football program. Mr. Ludlow played high school basketball and tennis and ran cross country. He continued to play tennis in college. His later sporting interests included his participation in the Wakefield tennis community, as well as his coaching of youth tennis and baseball. He loved to watch his son’s sporting events and was an avid Red Sox fan.
Mr. Ludlow graduated from Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania and began his career in Towson, Maryland. He was the Physical Education Director of the Towson Family YMCA before he and his wife moved to Wakefield in 1973 to assume the role of Physical Education Director of the former Wakefield YMCA and then on to the Beverly YMCA. He ultimately retired as a senior claims adjuster for One Beacon Insurance in 2012.
Many will remember John for his annual hosting of the Greybeard’s Pirate Party in Truro, Massachusetts over the last 15 years. He will also be sorely missed by his beloved 21 year old cat “Molly.” Mr. Ludlow loved Molly even though her coloring was not orange – a trait which he had a particular love for among felines.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Ann (Gooding) Ludlow; his son, Michael Ludlow and his wife, La’Tasha, of Scituate; his grandchildren, Mia and Jacob Ludlow; his sister Mary Duket of West Newton; his brother-in-law John Gooding and his wife, Julee, of West Chester, PA as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
His funeral service will be held in the Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading on Thursday, March 10 at 11 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday, March 9 from 4-7 p.m. Burial will take place in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to PAWS, 411 Lowell Street, Wakefield, MA 01880.
