Obituaries

John Patrick Cummings, 91, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend passed away on August 8, 2024. He was born to Nora Brick and Daniel Cummings on June 28, 1933, in Westfield, Massachusetts. John’s early years were shared with his siblings Mary, Danny, Jimmy, and Dorothy. Much like his mother, who left Ireland at 16 to come to America, John was the first of his family to leave Westfield and attend college.

John graduated from Saint Mary’s High School, class of 1951, and then attended Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. He was an active member of the Air Force ROTC, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1955. Upon graduation, he entered active duty in the United States Air Force. Over the next 38 years, John served his country during active and reserve duty in the USAF, retiring as a Colonel in 1993. As a civilian, John, a constant learner, achieved multiple advanced degrees including a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Toledo, a Ph.D in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, and a J.D. from the University of Toledo. John spent over 40 years as an environmental consultant, integrating his expertise in science and law to play a pivotal role in national and international remediation projects.

John was a voracious consumer of books, British comedies and dramas, apple pie (a la mode or with a slice of cheddar), and coffee (black). In addition to flying around the world in the USAF, John traveled across Europe, Central America, and Asia with his family. During family trips to Ireland, he reconnected with the “Irish cousins” to retrace family roots with his children.

John’s spirit of generosity and service extended beyond his family. John was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, fundraiser for Saint Michael’s University, Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, Corpus Christi Church Finance Committee member and Usher, and Head Announcer with CYO sporting.

John is survived by his wife Marilyn Welch, sister Dorothy Pacitto, seven children, eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

To celebrate John’s life, a funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Corpus Christi Parish in Fremont, California. Following the service, John will be laid to rest at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends who cherished his stories, his wit, and his positive impact in their lives.