John Francis DeBaie

DeBaie, John Francis of Waltham, passed away suddenly on July 5, 2021.  Age 65. Son of the late Ambrose S. DeBaie and Mary Theresa (Campbell) DeBaie. 

Born in Watertown, John was a graduate of St. Patrick’s High School (1974) and Bentley University (1978). John married Jeanne (Taverna) in 1979 and they moved to Waltham in 1980 where they raised two girls, Jillian and Amanda.  In 1988, he and his business parter, Bill Corrigan, started a company that specialized in print services for colleges and universities that they named Collegiate Press. He remained the CEO/CFO until his death.

A lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Church, John was as an altar server growing up, taught CCD, assisted with the RCIA program, was a member of the finance committee and was a eucharistic minister. He was known as a devout, kind, and selfless person who put everyone ahead of himself. He loved traveling, riding his bike, golfing (especially in the Margie Hanlon tournament each year), his vegetable garden, playing the violin and being at his house in Dennis, MA.  He started playing the violin in his 50s and his goal was to be able to play Scottish fiddle music, that he would hear often on his trip to Cape Breton, NS to see his extended family. 

Family was the most important thing to John.  An incredible cook, John loved having people over for dinner and get togethers. It goes without saying that the joys of his life were his three granddaughters; Rowan, Scarlett, and Ginny.  There was no one who adored being a Grampy more than John.  The void his passing leaves in the hearts of his family and friends is enormous and we will never forget him, his laugh, his smile, or his generous spirit. 

Beloved husband of Jeanne M. (Taverna) DeBaie. Loving father of Jillian M. Quigley & her husband Dana of Waltham and Amanda L. Persak & her husband Steven of Morris Plains, NJ. Loving grandfather of Rowan & Scarlett Quigley and Virginia Persak. Dear brother of David J. DeBaie (Joey Nichol), Cathy M. O’Connell (Jim), LouAnn Ciaramaglia (John), Kenneth D. DeBaie (Dee Carlson), Rosemary Dufton (Robbie), & the late Douglas A. DeBaie. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces & nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral from the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St. Watertown Saturday July 10, 2021, at 9:00 AM followed by Funeral Mass in the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 PM. Interment St. Patrick Cemetery, Watertown. 

Those who wish to remember John may contribute to the John DeBaie Memorial Fund at New England Conservatory. Memorial gifts will support the study of violin and can be mailed to:

The John DeBaie Memorial Fund

Office of Advancement and Engagement

New England Conservatory

290 Huntington Avenue

Boston, MA  02115

or at https://necmusic.edu/give

Those who use the giving link can choose "other" as the fund designation and enter John DeBaie Memorial Fund and/or add his name in the section for gifts made in tribute

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