John Kaczowka, 97

BRISTOL — John Kaczowka, 97, of West Shore Road, Bristol, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on May 4, 2026, at Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith, surrounded by his family.

John was born on Sept. 3, 1928, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, the son of George and Victoria (Wojtyto) Kaczowka.

John is survived by his loving wife of almost 73 years, Dorothy (Hallquist) Kaczowka; daughters Linda S. Ugenti and her husband Mark of Roslyn, New York, and Patricia A. Lofthouse and her husband Robert of Kansas City, Kansas; son John S. Kaczowka and his wife Jamie of Newark, Delaware; sister Stasia Sweeney of Attleboro, Massachusetts; many grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, four older brothers and two sisters. He was the seventh of eight children who lived through the Great Depression and World War II.

John’s first love was his wife, Dorothy, who he met while working together at the Attleboro Dyeing and Finishing Co. in Seekonk, Massachusetts. They both loved raising a family and vacationing each summer at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. Following John’s retirement from Malina Corp. in Providence, Rhode Island, they moved full-time to Bristol. John enjoyed gardening and volunteering at the Bristol Baptist Church. He loved to help prepare food for the church dinners.

John also loved all New England sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and New England Patriots. He played baseball and basketball for Attleboro High School during WWII, graduating in 1947. He was also an avid bowler who bowled in two leagues, occasionally achieving a perfect score of 300.

John was an avid reader. His kids often thought he should have been a lawyer because of his love for reading and debating all issues with conviction and facts. His brothers played for a semi-pro baseball team sponsored by Balfour, before joining the U.S. Army in their war effort.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful nursing and administrative staff at Golden View Health Care Center who became family to John and Dorothy. The family would also like to thank the incredible hospice team at the Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association for their love and compassion for John.

The family is planning a private celebration of John’s life.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in John’s name can send it to the Bristol Baptist Church, located at 30 Summer St., Bristol, NH 03222-3274.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV): "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, assisted the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.