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Mr. John "Jack" Phillip Sloan Veteran
June 20, 2018

Obituary

John “Jack” Phillip Sloan of Andover, formerly of Lowell, was born February 13, 1932 in Lowell, MA. Jack passed after a long and courageous battle with cancer on June 20, 2018, at the age of eighty-six surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Saganich) Sloan.

Raised in the Irish neighborhood known as The Acre, Jack was the son of the late Philip and Mary (Ginivan) Sloan. Jack attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and attended Keith Academy in Lowell before graduating from Lowell High School with the Class of 1951. Jack was an amazing athlete and played Catholic Youth Organization baseball for St. Patrick’s Parish of Lowell where his team won the Boston Archdiocesan championship. Jack also played varsity baseball, where he saw action at first base, and football for both Keith Academy and Lowell High School. Jack played football for the Lowell High Red Raiders as a halfback under the late, great coach Ray Riddick, who once played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. The football team was recognized as a national powerhouse during Jack’s time on the team. In 1949, Lowell High football was drawing crowds of 16,000 fans to watch their first undefeated Massachusetts Class A Championship team, capped by a 55–0 thrashing of rival Lawrence. The team later went on to play in the 17th Annual Kiwanis Charity ’Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, on December 9, 1949, defeating Landon High School. Upon transferring from Keith Academy to Lowell High School, Jack worried that the well-established Lowell football squad might not accept a newcomer. Jack later remarked that his concerns couldn’t have been farther from the truth, and that he was honored to play with such a great group of young men.

Jack enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during the years of the Korean Conflict. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Proserpine (ARL-21), an Achelous-class landing craft repair ship built for the United States Navy during World War II, and participated in regular training cruises into the Virginia Capes Operating Areas, and periodic short deployments to the Caribbean. Jack served as a gunner’s mate and was later stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Following his service, Jack attended Northeastern University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and worked for many years at Coulter Biomedical Research Corporation (now Beckman Coulter). Following their marriage, he and his wife ultimately took up residence in Andover, where they have lived for fifty years.

In his retirement, Jack enjoyed working in reception at Wyeth/Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Andover for almost 24 years where he always had a warm greeting for colleagues and visitors alike and made many special friendships. Jack volunteered for the Special Olympics. He was a regular participant and devotee of the Eucharistic adoration at St. Theresa’s Parish in North Reading. Jack was an avid reader and enjoyed the daily newspaper; he was partial to historical fiction and non-fiction. He was a sports fan, and was social and engaging. He loved to watch tennis with his daughter, Kim, and followed many players’ careers. With his Irish humor and stellar athleticism, Jack made close friends throughout all stages of his life. He was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, Jack is survived by his cherished children and grandchildren: a son, John P., a daughter, Kimberley A., and a daughter, Jennifer E. Sloan and her husband Jeremy Slotnick, and their two children Neil and Jillian Slotnick, all of Andover. Jack is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his sisters, Phyllis Robinson and Kathleen Sloan.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 25th from 4 - 8 PM in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover. His funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 26th followed by graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to The Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036 or to The American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.

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Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home
390 North Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-5200