John Arthur Holbrook

John “Jack” Arthur Holbrook, 79, of Stow, Massachusetts died on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, after a brief illness. 

Jack was born December 14th, 1945 in Waltham, Massachusetts to the late James Wilbur and Astrid “Teddy” (Anderson) Holbrook. At a young age, the family moved to Bolton into the old parsonage house located next to the fire station on Wattaquadock Hill Road. Jack attended schools in Bolton and High School in Hudson, Massachusetts. 

Living in proximity to the fire station, Jack and his brother Jim would hang out at the fire station and in their late teens they started answering the bell. Jack’s Mom “Teddy” was also involved with fire department goings-on, since she worked as an overnight telephone operator, which was also the call center for the department. 

For more than 40 years, Jack was active in the fire department and retired as Deputy Chief. Even up until he passed, he was still getting IamResponding app texts about the various fire or emergency service calls in Bolton. Jack was a communicator and paid attention to detail, so he was very involved over the years in coordinating the Fireman Muster events, training sessions, assisting in setting up fire ponds, and, of course, he saw the growth of the fire department over his time. He had many fire events or fire truck stories that he was always willing to share. 

In 1987, while on vacation on Monhegan Island in Maine, he met Carolyn, the love of his life. They married in 1989 and lived in Bolton until 2009. They then moved to Stow, MA as part of their retirement plan and Jack continued his involvement with the fire department doing special projects. 

For over 30 years, Jack was an oil burner technician for Juniper Farms/Bolton Oil until his retirement. Jack loved to garden and travel to Maine with Carolyn. Three years ago, Jack took up a new hobby of writing poetry. He took a few workshops at the Stow Council of Aging and loved getting his words down on “paper” (which in this modern era was his cellphone). 

Jack leaves behind his wife Carolyn (Gagnon-O’Connor) of 34 years, sons Leighton O’Connor Jr and his wife Stephanie of Nahant, Massachusetts and Michael “Mike” and his wife Sally O’Connor of Westford, Massachusetts, six adored grandchildren, Kyle, Justin, Alexandra “Alex”, Casey, Megan and Jacklyn “Jackie”. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Anne (Holbrook) Richardson and brother James “Jim” Holbrook, and niece Sally (Richardson) Healy. He is survived by his sister-in-law Mary Holbrook, nephew Jim Holbrook, nieces Linda, Nancy, Laurie and Suzie. 

Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life at the First Parish Church of Bolton, 673 Main Street, Bolton, Massachusetts on March 8, 2025 at 2:00pm. Burial will be held privately at a later time. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: 
Bolton Volunteer Fire Association
PO Box 508
Bolton, MA 01740

 Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA, 01460. 978-486-3709. www.badgerfuneral home.com.