John Patrick Slattery

John Patrick “Jack” Slattery, loving husband, father of four, grandfather of eight and great grandfather of two, passed away on January 24th 2023 at the age of 90. Born in Malden, MA to Francis and Sarah Slattery, Jack’s first job was selling papers at the newsstand in Malden Square, where he shouted the headlines that World War II had ended. He attended Cheverus Catholic Grammar and Middle School in Malden, where he became interested in a vocation as a missionary priest. In 8th grade, he enrolled in the Society of the Divine Word seminary, where for the next seven years he received a stellar education, deepened his faith and made lifelong friends. Ultimately choosing a different life path, Jack attended Boston College where he met his wife, Elinor Callanan, who was among the first class of women to graduate from the school. The two fell in love on their Green Line trolley
commute to BC. After marrying in June of 1959, the couple settled on Maurice Street in Malden, where they raised four children: John, Louise, Dan, and Kate. It was here that Jack would spend hours nearly every day playing with his children: street hockey, basketball, touch football and ping pong. His favorite sport was tennis and he spent countless days teaching and playing the game with his children at nearby courts.

Jack was as devoted to his family as he was to his faith. He co-founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chapter at the family’s Immaculate Conception Parish, and would spend time each weekend delivering food, money and information on employment opportunities to those within the community who needed help.

Jack’s career as a schoolteacher in the city of Boston spanned 36 years, the majority of which were at Boston Latin School, the oldest school in the United States, where he taught Latin. Jack would very persuasively argue that learning Latin was invaluable, as it was the root of 80% of all romance language words, deepens vocabulary and communication skills and enhances critical thinking. In addition to teaching at Boston Latin, Jack was the school’s long-time tennis coach.

To help contribute to his children’s college education, Jack worked summers and some nights on the loading docks at the Sears distribution center in Kenmore Square. Later he became the Operations Manager for his brother-in-law’s (Dan Callanan) 3M Scotchtint franchise. Dan was able to land big jobs like Boston’s Prudential building, and after school and on weekends, with a group of high school students and family members, Jack would hang the one-way mirror insulating film on the inside of windows.

Jack loved music like Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, Weston Priory, Glenn Miller and Sam Cooke, and he would regularly practice his trumpet to “keep his lip”. He perfected his trumpet skills after serving as the bugler in the Army Reserves.

Jack was an attentive listener and had the ability to truly hear, see and connect with people and make them feel valued. At family gatherings, Jack would always be spotted in a one-on-one with a grandchild, asking questions and giving them his complete and undivided attention. He lived his faith in a way that people noticed. Jack was extraordinarily selfless and kind. And he loved to laugh and had a terrific wit and sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

Jack is survived by his children: John Slattery, Jr. and his wife Patricia and their children Jack (John III) and his fiancée Kelsey and Kate and her husband Jeff and their two children Ryan and Emma. Louise Ford and her husband Michael and their son Harry. Dan Slattery and his wife Christine and their son Owen. Kate Tracey and her husband James and their children, Jim, Nora, Erin and Mary.

Jack is also survived by his sisters-in-law Barbara Slattery, Patricia Slattery and Betty Callanan and his brother-in-law Dick Callanan and his wife Jean as well as 29 nieces and nephews and other treasured family and friends. Since 2016, Jack’s list of friends expanded to include the wonderful and caring\ community and staff at Atria at Maplewood Place, an assisted living community in Malden.

Jack is predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 59 years, Elinor, his siblings Frank Slattery, Terry Slattery and wife Lillian, Noreen Martorana and husband Mike, Mary Lessard and Mike Slattery. He is also predeceased by four brothers-in-law: Daniel, Joe (Peg), Jack (Betty Ann) and Peter (Beverly).

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 3 from 8am until 10am at Weir MacCuish Family Funeral Home, 144 Salem Street, Malden, MA followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish, Malden at 10:00am. Interment to follow in Forestdale Cemetery in Malden.

The family suggests that any donations in memory of Jack be sent to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul c/o Immaculate Conception Parish, Malden, MA.

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