John Philippe Delano Jr.

John Philippe Delano, Jr. passed away suddenly March 5, 2026. He was 78 years old. He was a longtime resident of Dorchester, Massachusetts. He was born April 13, 1947 in Newton, MA. He was the son of the late Lydia L. (Frederick) and John Phillip Delano of Boxborough, MA.

He was educated at several public and private schools in Massachusetts and completed a few semesters of college. Starting when he was a young adult, he coped with life-changing mental health challenges. He lived in group homes in Dorchester for about 45 years. Known as “Gentleman John” in the group home where he lived at the time of his passing, he was an attentive and respected member of the home’s community. He was known for his extraordinary visual and auditory memory, attention to details, safety, efforts to recycle materials and conserve resources, completion of assigned tasks, moments of great clarity and awareness, and his thick Santa Claus-style beard.

He cared deeply for dogs (especially family dogs Ginger and Major, and, Hill and Smitty, and, his sister’s Beagles, Flo and Howard) and horses (especially Princess and Lady, and Morgan horses). He appreciated pipe organs and music written for those instruments, Boston history and architecture, his Delano family heritage, gardenia plants, and delicious food and beverages including holiday dinners, butternut squash, watermelon, burgers, Boston Creme Pie, and root beer.

From about 1985 to 2005, he did volunteer work at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dorchester MA, including running many errands and managing the Sunday morning coffee hour.

Hs is survived by his sister, Margaret L. Delano, Boxborough, MA, and several cousins. His sister thanks the many compassionate mental health care professionals and other professionals who recognized her brother’s positive qualities, and who cared for and helped him during the six decades of his mental health challenges. She also thanks the parishioners of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for their kindness and understanding.

Donations in his memory can be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 14 Cushing Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02125, or, an established dog or horse rescue organization.

Services will be private. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Fonda, NY.

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA 01460. 978-486-3709