John E. Sweeney, 93, of Londonderry, NH passed Thursday, December 4, 2014 at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Nashua after a period of declining health. He was born March 27, 1921 in Boston, MA and was a son of the late Edward and Esther (Green) Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney had been a longtime resident of Andover, MA, prior to relocating to Londonderry 25 years ago.
As a decorated veteran, Mr. Sweeney began serving his country as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. at the age of 17. He served in the forest service with the 153rd Company at Gale River Camp in Pierce Bridge, NH. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a radio man aboard the USS Catoctin and the USS Dyess during the invasion of Southern France and North Africa in WWII. During his service, he had the honor of serving on the flagship of Vice Adm. H.K. Hewitt and of meeting Gen. George Patton. After which, he had a long career as an instrument mechanic at the Boston Naval Shipyard.
Members of the family include two daughters, Patricia Michele Sweeney and Stephanie Marie Brownlie, both of Londonderry, NH, his sister, Ann Delaney, of Weymouth, MA as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Sweeney was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marie (McCarthy) Sweeney in 1992, his son, Patrick M. Sweeney in 1998 and by his brother, George Sweeney in 2006 and sister, Floss Mitton in 1996.
Calling hours were held on Monday, December 8, 2014 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A funeral service followed at 12:30 pm in the funeral home. Burial with military honors followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry.