John Wilson, 82, of Mile Lane, Ipswich, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Beverly Hospital. He was the husband of Marilyn (Poirier) Wilson.

John was born on June 11, 1935 in the Beverly Hospital, son of the late William L. and Margaret (Mackey) Wilson of Ipswich. John was raised in Hamilton before his parents moved to Ipswich to make their permanent home. He attended Ipswich High School graduating in 1954. He then joined the U.S. Navy where he proudly served for four years. He returned to Ipswich to build his home and married Marilyn in 1963. John loved his home town and was a fixture at Tedford & Martin's starting as a truck driver and continuing as a patron throughout his building career. He enjoyed his time working for Phil "Dilly" Ross then went out on his own. John was a master craftsman who built many homes on the North Shore. He was talented in all aspects of carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing and painting and could fix just about anything.  Because of his passion for "big rigs", he built model trucks in his spare time. John always put family first. Nothing made him happier than taking his daily walks around and throughout town where he'd make his rounds talking shop to various contractors and construction crews.  For many years, he took care of his mother as well as his young granddaughter. John, driving them both around town with him, became a familiar sight. For thirty years, his weekends were spent at the lake house he built in Milton, NH. In his later years, John could be found with the rest of the boys "shooting the breeze" at the Candlewood Golf Course.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, he leaves two daughters, Stephanie D. Galicki and her husband Richard of Ipswich, Kimberly A. Wilson of Saugus; one granddaughter, Vanessa N. Galicki of Ipswich who was his pride and joy, and many nephews and nieces. John was the brother of the late David L. Wilson, of New York and Mary Jane Eicholzer, of Centerville.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Cleary, Dr. Larsen and Beverly Hospital, as well as Dr. Piemonte and the staff at Lahey Burlington for the years of wonderful care that they provided John.  

His funeral service with Military Honors will be held 11 am, Tuesday, October 24, graveside in Cowles Memorial Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich.  Per John’s wishes there will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Disabled American Veterans, JFK Federal Building, Room 1575B, 15 New Sudbury Street,  Boston MA  02203.