Dr. John U. Free

Dr. John U. Free passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening surrounded by his family from complications related to congestive heart failure. John was born to John Ulric and Rose Free and raised in Homestead, Florida where he loved his family, horses, church, was an Eagle Scout, and learned to love science. He came to Eastern Nazarene College in 1959 to pursue a degree in Physics and met Jean, his wife. Upon graduation from ENC, he attended MIT where he earned a PhD. Due to his love of education, he returned to ENC and taught there for forty-two years and served as a research fellow at Harvard University for twenty-six years.

He loved and cherished his family dearly. He lived a joy-filled, adventurous life with Jean, his wife of 60 years, and their daughter, Janese. His life was enriched by his son-in-law, Tom Newell, who brought more love and happiness into John’s (and Jean’s) life. The greatest gift to John in his later years was the birth of his grandson and namesake, John, a.k.a “Jack” – they adored each other and were inseparable. John was a grandfather exemplar.

Dr. Free was a loving and gifted man, who enjoyed many activities and adventures throughout his life. He took his family on trips all over the world and loved every minute of it. He was an avid sailor, night photographer, scuba diver, and lover of the arts, especially classical music.

He was a man of great faith and a member of Park Street Church for 50 years, having served as a deacon for many years. He was also a board member at Quincy Crisis Center and an active participant in organizations and initiatives seeking racial reconciliation.

John is survived by his wife, Jean, as well as his daughter, Janese, and her husband, Tom, and their son, Jack. John was the foundation of our family and will live on in our hearts and lives forever.

Keohane Funeral Home (785 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA) is handling the arrangements, with visiting hours on Friday, August 21st from 4-7 p.m. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, at 11 am at Park Street Church (1 Park Street, Boston, MA), followed by a private burial. John loved photographing flowers and they bring us great joy, but those who wish to make a donation in John’s memory can do so to the Salvation Army.