Obituary for John Roberts

John R. Roberts

April 18, 2020

ROBERTS, John R. of Wellesley Hills, Mass, formerly of Andover, Mass and Blackwell, Oklahoma, passed away on April 18, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. He was the loving husband of Christine (Goss) Roberts, loving father of his son Edward and his wife Ilona of Boston, and son Steven of Wellesley.

Growing up in Blackwell, OK, John’s competitive nature saw him become the youngest Eagle Scout in his town, a testament to his character. But it was his basketball and track and field talents as a decathlete that brought him to Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, ME.

He also had a long and storied career in commercial real estate, working for organizations such as Lechmere, BJ’s Wholesale, and The Home Depot, where he ran site selection and development on the East Coast through the 90’s. Though none of his professional accomplishments mattered when compared to his love of his family. John could always be found coaching youth sports for both of his sons, both baseball players, as well as organizing the Challenger baseball league, a baseball league for disabled children. Challenger provided opportunities for inclusion and created champions of all participants. John was the president of the Special Education Parents Advisory Council in Andover, MA for many years.

John was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Arline of Oklahoma, he is also survived by his sister Mary Bibus of Florida, and his two brothers Kim and Bob of Oklahoma, his Sisters-in-law Carol Nichols of Raleigh, NC, Lorraine LeClair of Dedham, MA, Judy Crowley and her husband Dan of Rockland, MA, and Mary Martin and her husband Frank, of Rockland MA, with numerous nieces and nephews. Due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic, services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to The Professional Center for Child Development, 32 Osgood Street, Andover, MA 01810.