Obituary of John E Chisholm

John E. Chisholm passed away on November 11, 2020 at his home in Brooksby Village in Peabody, Massachusetts. He was 92. John was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on October 2, 1928, the second of four sons of the late Herbert and Doris Chisholm. His childhood home was in Somerville, Massachusetts, where church and school were an intrical part of his family’s routine. A deepening of his faith occurred in 1945 while attending a Youth for Christ Rally at Park Street Church in Boston where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. This event led John to attend Gordon College in the fall of 1946. He graduated in 1950 and continued with two years of seminary. After his studies, John worked as a health claims adjuster for Hanover Life Insurance, initially in Boston and later in Worcester, until he retired in 1988. John moved to Peabody on Summit Street in 1954. He began attending South Congregational Church in Peabody in 1961 where he served as deacon and church clerk and occasionally gave sermons. He was also an active member of The Gideons International which helps distribute Bibles around the world. In 1976, John moved to Danvers on Princeton Street where he enjoyed his house and wooded yard and took care of his mother into her elderly years. In 2002, he downsized and moved to his 5th floor apartment in Canterbury Court at Brooksby Village where he became a staple for the past 18 years. He made connections with many of the residents and staff and enjoyed his nightly dinners with friends. John helped raise his niece, Sarah E. Chisholm, who has Down syndrome, from an early age. He became Sarah’s guardian and faithful advocate in promoting her independence. He assisted Sarah with moving into a group home run by ARC. Sarah frequently visited John on weekends and holidays, and they called each other several times a week to say good night and pray together. John often said raising Sarah was the highlight of his life and felt that she was the daughter he never had. Reading was an important part of John’s daily routine, including the Boston Globe and religious books and periodicals, such as Christianity Today and Christian History. He was interested in archeology, history (especially European), international events, classical music, antiques and liked taking daily walks. He also enjoyed international travel which he did extensively in his younger years. John will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his positive outlook on life, his servant’s heart, for helping raise Sarah, for taking care of his mother, and in all demonstrating his Christian faith in word and deed. John was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Doris I. (Bonness) Chisholm, his brothers, Herbert B. Chisholm and wife Norma, Alvah D. Chisholm and wife Pam, and his good friend Beatrice Bain. John is survived by his brother Roy B. Chisholm and his wife Janice, Sarah E. Chisholm, his niece to whom he was guardian, several nieces and nephews, and his many friends at Brooksby. No services are planned at this time.