John W. (Jake) Atwood, 82, Worked at EZ-Way Cleaners

John W. (Jake) Atwood, 82, of Bradford, passed unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 15 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, N.H. He was born in Haverhill on Dec. 8, 1935, the son of the late Ellery and Katherine (Gorman) Atwood. He was married to Francesca Cocozza for almost 58 years.

Educated in the Haverhill school system, Atwood graduated from Haverhill High School with the class of 1953. He furthered his education earning a bachelor’s degree from Norwich University (Class of 1957). He enlisted in the Army after graduation and received his honorable discharge as a 2nd Lieutenant. After 12 years in the reserves he retired as a 1st Lieutenant.

Atwood’s professional career began at Household Finance and included periods at Haverhill National Bank and Regano Box Toe. In 1996, John retired as Vice President of Lending from Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union.

John was a charitable member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, dedicated parishioner at Sacred Hearts Church in Bradford, member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, former member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a longtime member at Cedardale. A fanatical sports fan and participant, Atwood loved football, basketball, hockey, softball, and tennis—which he began playing at the age of five, won local competitions as a young man; and continued playing until the day prior to his passing.

Family was his joy – especially his grandchildren. “Grampy” attended every sporting event or recital that he was able and could always be heard among the crowd cheering and supporting his grandchildren’s’ teams. Atwood also had a second career and family. Not long after his retirement in 1996, he began work at EZ-Way Cleaners. He loved the people he worked with at EZ-Way and the customers he served—many of whom he would develop lasting friendships during the past almost 22 years. Atwood will be remembered for his wit, keen sense of humor, love of competition, generosity and loyalty.

In addition to his beloved wife, he leaves his son, Michael John Atwood and his wife Cathy of Haverhill, daughters, Anne Atwood O’Donoghue, Lisa Buck and her husband Paul of Bradford, and Sara Lamparelli and her partner Rick Foster of Bradford, grandchildren Nathan Buck, Brynn and Harry O’Donoghue, Alexia Lamparelli, Emma Atwood, and Jake Axford, and several nieces and nephews. Siblings include brother Edward G. Atwood and his wife Annie of Hampton, N.H., and sister Julie Atwood-Drake of Somerville.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on May 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer and Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St., (Rt. 125) Bradford. His funeral will be held on May 22 starting at 10 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sacred Hearts Church, 165 South Main St., Bradford. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association and St. Vincent DePaul Society.