John Maguire, 86, of New Bedford died on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at home. He was the husband of Irene M. (Gallagher) Maguire.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Harriet (Gunning) Audette and William C. Maguire, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Maguire was formerly employed with the C.W. Gunning Company for 44 years until his retirement. He had also worked part-time for the Standard-Times for 34 years and the New Bedford Animal Rescue League for 12 years.
He served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a brother in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a charter member of the St. Mary's Couples Club, and former President and Treasurer of the Standard-Times Quarter Century Club.
Mr. Maguire was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School, Class of 1947, where he played football and basketball. He also played football for the New Bedford Whalers Football Club, the Fairhaven Varsity Club and the Mitchell Club of Middleboro, and played basketball in the Greater New Bedford League.
Survivors include his wife; a son, John J. "Jay" Maguire and his wife Karen of Rancho Mirage, CA; a daughter, Maureen G. Maguire and her longtime partner Paul Ponte of Dartmouth; three grandchildren, Christy Maguire of Los Angeles, CA, Lindsay Maguire of West Hollywood, CA, and Michael Maguire, a student at the University of Southern California; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Harriet Lauzon, and her husband Richard.
His Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. A Celebration of his Life will also be held by his family sometime in late Spring 2015. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.