John Patrick Anthony Maguire Obituary

"Grá go deo"
(eternal love)
John Patrick Anthony Maguire
June 11, 1937 to June 21, 2025
Elizabeth "Betty" Anthony Maguire
June 13, 1934 to June 16, 2025
Elizabeth "Betty" Anthony Maguire (nee Stapleton) passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, with family by her side. Her devoted husband of 61 years, John Patrick Anthony Maguire, joined her in heaven just five days later, on June 21, 2025, also with family present.
Betty was one of five children born to Thomas and Josephine Stapleton in Kildare, Ireland. She grew up on the family farm in Ireland, and then lived in Liverpool and Toronto, where she met John in 1961.
John was one of three children born to Patrick Edward Maguire and Madeleine Maguire (nee Murphy) in Cobh, Cork, Ireland. He lived in Dublin and New York before moving to Toronto where he met Betty at one of his Gaelic football matches.
They married in August 1963, and then the newlyweds moved back home to County Wexford (Ire) to start a family. Their life's story brought them to Cleveland (OH), back to Ireland, and then to homes in Franklin, Medway, and Northborough, MA. Both Betty and John became U.S. citizens in 1984.
Betty was first employed on her family farm, where she developed a physical strength that lasted her lifetime. Her gentle and caring manner then led her to nursing. And finally, her adventurous spirit prompted her to seek a career as a travel agent and a tour operator.
Betty loved the outdoors and excelled in several sports including camogie, tennis, and golf. She was very dedicated to her family and was a loving wife and wonderful mother and grandmother.
John spent his entire career in the travel industry, working for Aer Lingus and then later for major travel companies, creating tours in the Caribbean and across Europe. John made friends everywhere he went and never lost his flair for storytelling. He was an excellent public speaker and served as Master of Ceremonies at various events including the Rose of Tralee, as well as a church lector and CCD teacher. As with Betty, John also loved sports, especially soccer (as a player and coach) and cricket. John and Betty picked up tennis while living in Franklin, MA, and won many tournaments as singles, and as a formidable mixed doubles team.
Betty and John were devout Catholics. Betty is survived by her sister Josephine and preceded in passing by James, Thomas, and Finola. John is survived by sisters Mary and Phyl. John and Betty are also survived by their four children Conor, Ciara, Finbarr, and Deirdre and their spouses, as well as seven grandchildren, and extended family in the U.S., Ireland, England and Australia.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 5, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. Betty and John's funeral Mass will immediately follow at 11 a.m. in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough.
The family would like to thank Constellation Hospice (especially Donna), and Lina and Maria from Georgia's Girls for their wonderful care of our parents over their last few weeks.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
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