John A. Dudley

HOLDEN - John A. Dudley, 73, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester. He was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio a son of the late Kenneth A. and Marjorie E. (Wiltse) Dudley. John graduated from Alfred University with a degree in ceramics engineering and later earned his MBA from Rutgers University. He enjoyed a long career in the ceramics / abrasives industry first with Carborundum Abrasives and then Norton Company before leaving to put his energy behind the formation of United Home Experts, a home improvement company, with his son, John C. as his partner and cofounder. There he also had the opportunity to work together work with his son Michael and daughters Molly and Marjorie. Even after his retirement from United, John remained a constant source of support and wisdom for the team members. An avid woodworker and accomplished furniture maker, John loved keeping busy. He possessed a talent for playing the guitar and he enjoyed collecting them as well. John found peace and relaxation being outdoors and could often be found on the water kayaking. He liked to play tennis, was a voracious reader and spent many hours tracing his family genealogy. For John, sharing family gatherings and special moments brought him his greatest joy, especially those he spent with his grandchildren. He leaves his beloved wife of 45 years, Mary E. (Steiert) Dudley; his six children, Jennifer Dudley of Manchester, NH, John C. Dudley and his wife, Lorri of Ashland, Julie Johnson and her husband, Steven of Ashland, Marjorie Avarista and her husband, Kenneth of Attleboro, Molly St. Peter of Ashland and Michael Dudley and his wife, Elizabeth of Ashland. He was the loving grandpa of his 13 grandchildren, Zackery, Ashley, Justin, Jacob and Isabella, Christopher, Jimmy and Matthew, Maizie and Teddy, Patrick, Mya and Judah; his nephew and nieces, Kenneth, Jean, Denise and Jackie, Denise and Amanda; and his cousin, Pat. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Josephine Dudley.