John Grant Hedstrom

STERLING – Dr. John Grant Hedstrom, 78, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Leominster Hospital. Born in Lowell and raised in Tewksbury Massachusetts, he was the eldest child of Salamon and Josephine (Maclellan) Hedstrom.

John earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College, a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Georgetown Dental School and completed oral maxillofacial surgery training at Tufts Dental School. He married the love of his life, the late Anne (Lawlor) Hedstrom in 1968 and the couple lived in the Washington, DC area before returning to Massachusetts, living in Newton and Leominster for several years before settling in Sterling in 1979.

During his life, John constantly offered to help others, whether family, friend, co-worker or one of his patients in over 40 years of oral surgery practice. John’s propensity to be direct in his interactions never over-shadowed his kind-heartedness. No matter his delivery, all that knew him understood he respected them and had their best interest in mind. John and Anne believed in the power of education and worked tirelessly to open doors for family and friends, encouraging open-mindedness, progressiveness and emotional intelligence. An AV enthusiast, John relished demonstrating the capabilities of his newest purchase with the opening scene from Top Gun. He was an avid golfer, a mainstay at Sterling National, with teaching advice for his sons - “if you’re going to stink at golf, stink fast.” He loved his Boston College Eagles across the athletic spectrum - beware those who spoke ill of Doug Flutie. A car lover, many a family member or friend remarked they hoped their next life would be as one of John’s cars.

Above all, John cherished his family. He was an incredible husband, father, in-law, uncle, and wonderful grandfather. He was immensely proud of his sons and grandchildren.

John will be lovingly missed and remembered by his sons, John Hedstrom and his wife, Kristen of Bolton, Mark Hedstrom and his wife, Laurie Smith of Santa Monica, CA and Kristian Hedstrom and his wife, Dori Schafer of Upton; his brothers, Peter and his wife, Mary Ruth, Paul and his wife, Barbara, David and his wife, Marilynne, Joseph and his wife, Nancy and Thomas and his wife, Jennifer; his sisters, Mildred and Martha; his grandchildren, Hayden, Grant, Alex, Ansel, Liam and Avery; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of John and Anne Hedstrom to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or via www.dana-farber.org/gift .

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit his tribute wall on this page.