John Thomas Mccolgan

John Thomas McColgan, age 88, beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away on March 26, 2024, in Sebring, Florida.

He was born on February 1, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, to William Gerard McColgan and Virginia Elizabeth Janse.

John was a gentleman in every sense of the word and took a genuine interest in learning about every person he met. This, of course, made him a consummate salesman (he worked for UARCO, Avery, and Mars Inc. over the course of his career). John was a proud veteran who served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1957. He was very invested in his sobriety and helped countless others by practicing the principles of recovery in all his affairs. And he was an unwavering ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

He was a man of many interests: his beloved Boston sports teams; running (he ran several marathons, including Boston and New York); all kinds of music from Dave Brubeck to the Kingston Trio; golfing; reading the newspaper cover to cover; cringeworthy “dad jokes”; pinochle (he had a regular game every Wednesday right up until the end), and occasionally performing in musical theatre productions (his joke was that he was “outstanding onstage – and by that I mean I was OUT STANDING on the stage.”).

But the roles that John cherished the most were husband, “Dad” and “Papa.” He was fiercely devoted to his family and would do anything for them. He took immense pride in his kids’ and grandchildren’s achievements, attending countless performances and concerts, and taking pictures at every opportunity.

John met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Flaherty in 1959, when he decided upon leaving the service to enroll at Carroll College in Helena, Montana.  Their marriage and devoted partnership brought them back to his home state of Massachusetts to raise their family and, later, to Avon Park, Florida where they enjoyed many wonderful years.

He is survived by Betty, his son William Neil McColgan and wife Brenda, his daughters Lisa Diane McColgan and husband Kevin Coombs, and Kristina "Tina" McColgan Stone and husband Walter. He is also survived by his sisters Ann Healey, Maryann Witkowski, and Patricia DesRochers, and his five adored grandchildren - Monica, Finn, Caden, Duncan, and Milo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James McColgan and Gerard McColgan, and sisters Joan Bosley and Virginia Forgit.

His family are heartbroken by their loss of John, but are deeply grateful for all the love, memories, and laughs that they shared with him. John’s family will be having a celebration of his life later this summer in Massachusetts. All his friends and family will be welcomed with open arms.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, Ridge Area Arc, or the Transgender American Veterans Association.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870

Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com