John J. Leary

John J. Leary of Wakefield passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at age 78.

John was born on September 3, 1947 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to parents John Leary and Cecelia Marie (Gillis) Leary.  He loved his sister Sheila and his late brothers Dennis and Tom.  Upon his mother’s passing he was raised by his Aunt Mary and Uncle Lawrence Burns and his grandfather Jeremiah Leary.  John was fortunate to have his cousins Claire, Pat and Buddy become siblings to him.

John served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.  He lived in Somerville for many years, later moving to West Medford and settling in Wakefield since 1984.  John had a quiet presence.  John was strong and a hard worker.  John worked in the computer field for The Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Mellon Bank and MIT.  John loved trips to Cape Cod, watching Boston sports, fishing trips with his brother Tom and spending time with his family.  He will be missed by all those who loved him.

John was the beloved husband of Jean F. (Vacaro) Leary for 55 years.  He was the devoted father of John Joseph Leary III and his wife Allison, Jennifer Eve Hoxie and her husband Jonathan and Christopher Matthew Leary and his wife Deborah.  He was the loving grandfather of Jenna, Alexa, Ashley and Amanda.

John was the dear brother of Claire Ellis and her husband Michael, Sheila Swanson and her husband Robert.  John was predeceased by his siblings Lawrence Burns and his wife Kay, Patricia Burgess, Dennis Leary and Thomas Gibson.

John is survived by his brother-in-law Charles Burgess, husband of his late sister Patricia; his sister-in-law Maureen Vacaro, whose husband Philip Vacaro predeceased him.  John loved his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather with John’s Family on Thursday, July 23rd from 4-7pm in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating John’s Eternal Life will be held on Friday, July 24th at 10am in Saint Joseph Church, 173 Albion Street Wakefield. At the request of the family, please report directly to church.  Interment Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in John’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by referring to the link below or mail in donations to:  St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome