On the morning of September 22, 2023, John “Johnny” Francis Roddy passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, after a yearlong battle with cancer. John was 81 years old.

John was born on March 19th, 1942, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Eleanor (Paecht) and John Roddy Sr. He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and was a 1961 graduate of The James Hillhouse High School. He was a track athlete and involved in the A cappella choir at school; singing was his passion. John often harmonized in his friend’s garage and joined a group with Roger Koob (lead), Billy Koob, and Joe Vece. John was the tenor. Their beautiful harmonizing got them into Phillips’s recording studio, where they recorded and released many hit singles under The Premiers, Roger and The Travelers, and The Frontiers. The Premiers performed at the Paramount Theater in New Haven, along with the Five Satins, Dion, and Gene Pitney, out of Rockville, Connecticut. Continuing their career, he sang with many big stars of the 50s and 60s, such as Frankie Valli, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and many more. His first show was the all-time biggest show he had, playing with Danny and the Juniors in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in front of around 3,500 adoring teens in a football stadium. He said he was never more terrified.

John met his high school sweetheart, Edwina, at 16. They were married in 1963 and in 1965 they welcomed their first child, John Roddy 111.While working at Connecticut based companies such as Bilco, Seamless, and Bond; John decided to step away from his singing career.

In 1970, John moved to Massachusetts and, while obtaining a supervisor position at Barry Controls, one of the oldest rubber product manufacturers, he simultaneously pursued his college education at Fisher University during the evenings. He maintained an admirable work ethic, had a strong aversion to tardiness, and dedicated himself to his work until it was completed. After settling into their new home in Sudbury and welcoming their second child,Tracie, they took great pleasure in regularly visiting their families in Connecticut. Edwina and John nurtured close relationships with their neighbors creating a warm and loving atmosphere in their home. They made sure that their residence was always open to their children’s friends, even late at night, with both television and music playing and food readily available at any hour.

They enjoyed traveling, dining out, and daily Dunkin Donuts coffee runs in the morning and afternoon, where they were greeted as mom and dad. They were dearly loved by many and were always found together. John and Edwina made many friends through music, dancing, and their faith. They enjoyed vacationing in Ocean Park, Maine for over forty years. In their later years, they embarked on biannual cruises accompanied by a host of relatives. Their cruise companions, most notably were his sister-in-law Chickie and brother-in-law Kenny Macdonald. They particularly enjoyed visits to the MacDonald household and celebrated many holidays with them. Sherri was like a daughter, Sherisse was like a grandchild, and they loved their doggies.

Both were brought up Catholic but changed their journey with God through the way of the Baptist community, where John became ordained. John loved watching movies and sports and collecting sports memorabilia. He was known as an instigator and prankster, always ready with a joke. He liked to make people laugh and was an extremely generous person. Even if money was tight, he helped others. His charitable spirit touched everyone. John helped put a smile on people’s faces with his church group performing at local senior housing, schools, and within the Sudbury community, dancing, singing, or doing stand-up comic work.

In 1994, John and Edwina needed to relocate to Ohio briefly for work and New Jersey for eight years, making friends afar but missing their family immensely. John retired early and moved back to Massachusetts, so he and Edwina could help care for their two grandchildren and be closer to family and lifelong friends. Their children and grandchildren meant the world to them.

In his adult life, he performed in his late 60s to mid-70s, with a different doo-wop group, The Academics. He  sang with them on and off until his wife became ill, and John took care of her until her passing in August 2022.

John is preceded in death by his wife and best friend of 63 years, Edwina (D’Amico) Roddy; his father, John; his mother, Eleanor; and her significant other, Albert Coletti; his sister Eleanor and her husband Tommy Palmisano; his sister Ruthie Pagliaro; and numerous in-laws.

He is survived by his sister Ann Raymo, son John and his wife Sheila; daughter Tracie and her husband Russell, and his two grandsons Mason and Cole Ward. He is also survived by numerous other in-laws, beloved nieces,nephews,cousins and lifelong friend, companion and devoted caregiver, Sandy Mekdeci.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to join us for a brief interment ceremony at All Saints Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven on Friday morning, November 3, 2023 beginning at 11:00. Following the ceremony please join the family for a celebration of their dads life at La Luna’s which will commence from 12:00PM-4:00PM. The family has thoughtfully arranged this celebration and extends an invitation to anyone with cherished memories, heartwarming stories or keepsakes to share and be a part in commemorating John’s life and legacy.