Contributions to the tribute of John E Chisholm

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Kathy Bourgault posted a symbolic gesture

Friday, February 5, 2021

I just “happened” on John’s obituary while doing an internet search for when South Church in Peabody Square was torn down. My deepest condolences go out to Sarah, John’s family, and Brooksby friends. South Church was my maternal grandparent’s church. After hearing Rev. Barber at my grandfather’s funeral in April and my grandmother’s in July of 1975 my husband and I started attending in August, 1975. John was an devoted, gentle, servant of God. We served together on many committees. John’s dedication to his mother Doris and niece Sarah was truly beautiful. I had Sarah in my Jr. High Sunday school class. When I was asked to teach I said, “I don’t know anything about teaching Sunday school.” The Sunday School Superintendent replied, “Just take this book (class leader’s guide) and do what it says.” I said, “I can do that.” At the time I did not read the Bible. One August, when Rev. Barber & Ruth were on their yearly vacation at Prince Edward Island, John did an amazing sermon series on the Apostle Paul. After the last week of the series I shook John’s hand and commented on this man Paul that I had never heard of before. Poor John looked at me with a stunned expression and didn’t know what to say. I think he was surprised because I was teaching Jr. High Sunday school! Forty-five years later I’m happy to say I read the Bible daily and know a lot about the Apostle Paul and many other Bible characters! LOL! December 7, 1977 my husband and I moved to Wenham Street Danvers, a quarter of a mile from John, Doris, and Sarah. I would see them and chat often on my walks by their home. John’s dedication to his family always amazed me. He had a long (1 hour on a good day) commute to work in Worcester and never complained; especially in the winter when he’d get home and have to shovel for hours. John never complained about anything. He had a gentle, Christ-like attitude in everything he did. In 1982 when I transferred to the Nazarene Church in Beverly John would come to speak about the Gideons. He was a dedicated Gideon. “If there were no life beyond this earth-life, some people I have known would gain immortality by the nobility of my memory of them. With every friend I love, who has been taken into the brown bosom of the earth, a part of me has been buried there; but their contribution of happiness, strength, and understanding to my being remains to sustain me in an altered world.” ~Helen Keller “Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ~ C.S. Lewis So long, my brother, I look forward to seeing you again, for eternity! Kathy Bourgault Danvers, MA

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Ian Chisholm posted a condolence

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

My Uncle and Godfather, John was such a valuable resource for me in compiling our family tree, and his memory for people and places was remarkable. He always displayed such patience when assisting me, even when I had clearly woken him up from his daily nap! He reminded me that my late father had always called him every Wednesday, and I tried to carry on the tradition which I know that he appreciated. We blended those calls with my quest for family history and you could tell that John was in his "happy place" when discussing family history and displaying his knowledge of the history of St. Stephen's, New Brunswick where the Chisholm family settled after the American Revolution. His knowledge of the Bonness and Doten families was invaluable to me when I was submitting my application to the Mayflower Society. John was a most gracious, kind, and selfless man, and I will miss him. Ian B.Chisholm South Burlington, VT

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Bernice Cunningham posted a condolence

Thursday, November 19, 2020

My memories of John go way back. We actually have John and Doris on video shown exiting the soon to be torn down South Congregational Church in Peabody Square. It was the last worship service held at that location. Fortunately, both he and Doris stayed with our church family as the new building was built, opened and dedicated in 1964 at it's present location. John was a true gentleman in every sense of that word. He lived out his faith daily. He was a strong and loving guardian to Sarah. And he was a lovingly devoted son to Doris. John truly walked the walk of faith and was a shining example of a Christian man. He will be missed. Bernice Cunningham

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Elaine posted a condolence

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

My husband and I grew up at South Church. Mr. Chisholm was a church elder, a deacon, a Church School superintendent, occasional Sunday School teacher; a role model, and a man of integrity. We grew up with his niece Sarah, and enjoyed learning about Jesus and the things that make each of us beautiful in our unique ways. The church celebrated Mr. Chisholm's 90th birthday together with members of John's biological family. Mr. Chisholm was a Christian man who lived out his faith. We were blessed to know John, to see his life as a servant of God. We rest in God's promises that we will see John again. With Love, Elaine (Sherrick) and Diogo Valente and family

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The family of John E Chisholm uploaded a photo

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

John E Chisholm

1928 - 2020

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