John William Vdoviak

MARBLEHEAD – John William Vdoviak, 92, a longtime resident of Marblehead passed away at his home on Sunday, January 20th. He was the beloved husband of the late Doris (Gower) Vdoviak with whom he shared 39 years of marriage until her passing in 1983. He was the loving companion of Doris Eagen of Marblehead for over 33 years.

Born in Little Falls, NY on June 21, 1926, he graduated from Little Falls High School with the class of 1944. He served stateside in the U.S. Army Air Corps and trained as a pilot toward the end of WWII. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1951 he joined GE and worked as jet engine designer and manager of design technology in Evendale, OH and Lynn, MA for 40 years until his retirement in 1991.

He moved his family to Marblehead in 1970. John loved the ocean and sailing, and owned 3 boats in Marblehead over the years, the Nomad Wind 1, 2, and 3. Since moving to Marblehead John was active in the Marblehead Power Squadron for many years and served in all of its offices, including twice as its Commodore. He also served as a boating and safety training instructor with the Power Squadron. John was also a passionate modeler of all types of vehicles: planes, trains, automobiles and boats. John could often be found at his kitchen table working on a model or requesting modeling supplies from his family even up until his most recent hospitalization, just a few weeks ago.

John was the loving father of Garth Vdoviak and his wife, Kimberly of Farmingdale, ME, Linda Joyce of Peabody, and Janis Hardiman and her husband, Alan of Salem, NH; the cherished grandfather of 10 grandchildren; great-grandfather of 9 great-grandchildren; the dear brother of 3 late siblings and the uncle of several nieces and nephews.

John’s funeral service will be held on Monday, January 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street. Burial will follow at Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Marblehead Council on Aging, Activities Fund,10 Humphrey Street, Marblehead, MA 01945. To share a memory or leave online condolences, please visit www.eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.