Foxborough's John Deal Dies at 75; Served in the Army with Elvis

John Deal, 75, died suddenly on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at his home in Foxborough. He was the son of the late Jennie (Ejdrygiewicz) Deal and brother of Frank Deal and Helen Johnson who preceded him in death.

John was born in Cambridge on Oct. 27, 1937 and was raised in the Brighton-Allston section of Boston. He served in both the United States Marine Corps and United States Army and was in the same Army unit in Germany with Elvis Presley. He has been a Foxborough resident since 1968.

John was a retired tractor-trailer operator for Teamsters Local 25 and Pipefitters and Journeymen Local 537, driving for the Stop and Shop construction division.

For many years, John appeared in the Christmas season throughout the Foxborough area as Santa Claus. He visited children all around town including the former Schafer Stadium, sometimes even arriving via helicopter or by fire truck.

He loved being a grandfather, known to them as Papa and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a former bus driver for the Foxborough School system and was an assistant wrestling coach for Foxborough High School.

He was the beloved husband and best friend of 26 years to Alexis J. (Keefe) Deal, loving father of Audra Gilpatrick of Mansfield, Alexander Gilpatrick of Foxborough and Mauvorneen Evans and her husband Jonathan of Gilford, N.H. Devoted grandfather of Athina Evans and Theodore Harrington, son in-law of George and Jean Keefe of Randolph.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, May 7, from 4-8 p.m. at the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 30 South St., Foxborough. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church 58 Carpenter St., Foxborough. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Foxborough. For additional information please contact 508 543-5471.

To light a special candle in John’s memory please visit the funeral home website at www.robertsandsonsfuneralhome.com.