Final Salute

John Raymond Calnan, III, age 76 passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on March 1, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved son of the late John R. Calnan, Jr. and the late Marie (Elsmore) Calnan of Whitman, MA.

John was born on July 8, 1948 in Brockton and was a graduate of South Shore Technical High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a SeaBee in the Indian Ocean. He married Faye (Valanzola) on June 11, 1978 at Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale, MA. They enjoyed 46 years of a happy marriage together before his passing.

John was a Master Electrician. He worked for The Foxboro Company for most of his early career as a maintenance electrician and finished his career working for Unicorr Packaging Company in Marlboro.

John enjoyed playing his 12-string guitar and photography, where he would sometimes photograph weddings. He was an avid science fiction and fantasy fan through books and film. He loved watching shows about woodworking and had a little workshop in his basement that he loved to mill around in. He loved nature and the outdoors. He spent time volunteering and attending trips with his sons in the Boy Scouts, especially his son Nicolos who loved having him on every camping trip. He most enjoyed spending time with his family and thought the world of his grandchildren. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Above all, he was a good and decent person. He will be sorely missed.

John is survived by his loving wife Faye (Valanzola) Calnan, his children, Christopher “Cal” Calnan of Providence, Jeremy Calnan of Berlin, Domenic Calnan and his wife Kayla of Taunton; and Nicolos Calnan of Foxboro, his granddaughters Jocelyn Calnan of Providence and Gwendolyn Calnan of Newport. He is also survived by his siblings Dennis Calnan of Whitman, Colleen Jacobson and her husband Dick of Halifax and Jamie Calnan and his late wife Pamela of Wake Forest, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his wake. Calling hours on Thursday, March 6th from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 30 South Street, Foxborough. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday March 7th at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street, Mansfield. To send an on-line condolence please visit the funeral home web site at www.robertsandsonsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate)