John D. Darling
He lit up every room he entered and his positivity was contagious
John D. “Jack” Darling, a lifelong Everett resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 9, 2025. Jack, as he was known to family and friends, was 86 years old.
Jack is predeceased by his mother, Marguerite (Shaw) Darling and his adored wife, Barbara (Petrone) Darling, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Jack and Barbara were inseparable and shared an incredible love story of devotion and resiliency. Her recent passing caused them to briefly be apart but they are now reunited in eternity.
Jack is survived by his brother, Laurence (Larry) Darling of Reading and his brother-in-law, Patrick (Rick) Petrone of Everett and his lifelong partner, Judith Masucci of Winthrop. Jack is the cherished father of JoAnne Crafts and her husband, Jim of Everett, Kim Dell Isola and her husband, Jay of Lynnfield and Jay Darling and his wife, Kim of Peabody. He is “Pa” to seven adoring grandchildren; Jake, Alex, Molly, Olivia, Emma, Jack and Joshua.
After growing up in Everett and graduating Everett High School in 1957, Jack embarked on a varied career path with jobs including Kappy’s, Shell Oil, Polaroid Corporation, Deputy Tax Collector’s Office and his final and favorite job as a Court Officer for the Suffolk County Courthouse. He truly was a “Jack of all trades” and often worked multiple jobs to provide the best life possible for his family. He and Barbara were married in 1966 and bought a two family house in Everett where Barbara’s parents and brother followed the old Italian tradition of moving in below them, creating a loud and bustling household that was bursting at the seams with love. Their home was always filled with extended family and friends and was such a warm, welcoming place for all.
Jack was a true character; an engaging personality with a quick, sarcastic wit, a great sense of humor and stories galore. He lit up every room he entered and his positivity was contagious. Jack was a people person and enjoyed many close, lifelong friendships. It would be difficult to find anyone within a 20 mile radius of Everett who didn’t know Jack or that Jack didn’t know, himself. He was always telling a joke, sharing a story or lovingly teasing someone. When somebody needed help, Jack was the guy they would turn to, and he always delivered. His generosity was limitless and he found great joy in helping others. He loved good food, traveling to Las Vegas with Barbara, cruising and Disney trips with his children and grandchildren, napping in his recliner, scratch tickets, and reading his daily newspapers from cover to cover. He was an unassuming man who was able to enjoy and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.
Jack’s family was his sole purpose in life and his greatest, proudest achievement. He would do absolutely anything for them, and he always did. If you had the pleasure of being in Jack’s presence, you would no doubt be subjected to endless reminders of all the wonderful accomplishments and attributes of his children and grandchildren. He was incredibly proud of the family he and Barbara created and he always made them feel so cherished and adored. Jack will be dearly missed but his memory will live on in the many hearts of those he so deeply touched.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach, Revere on Saturday, November 15th from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
To send online condolences, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, Revere.