West Bridgewater, August 26, 2025
News Summary
West Bridgewater mourns the loss of John F. Croker, a man known for his unwavering dedication to family, work, and golf. His legacy includes over four decades at National Grid and cherished moments spent on the fairways of local courses. Known for his reliable presence and humor, John leaves behind fond memories shared amidst family gatherings and golfing experiences. His community remembers a friend who wasn’t just a golfer but a storyteller and a culinary enthusiast.
West Bridgewater: John F. Croker, 62, Passes After Lengthy Illness — A Life Grounded in Family, Work and the Fairways
Local favorite, steady worker, and golf-course regular
The town remembers a familiar face this week as John F. Croker of West Bridgewater quietly passed away on August 21, 2025, after a lengthy illness. Known around town for his steady presence and easy laugh, John leaves behind a life stitched together by hard work, family, and a love for the game of golf that fellow players will long recall.
From Montello kid to lifelong teammate
Born in Brockton and raised in the Montello section, John grew up pounding out summer days on neighborhood diamonds and forming friendships that lasted his entire life. Youth baseball with the Elks Little League under Coach Wally Boen was a formative chapter that taught him how to take a loss, celebrate a win, and respect the team — lessons that showed up later on the work floor and on the back nine.
A career built on reliability
John was a man who turned loyalty into a profession. He spent more than four decades working for National Grid in Brockton before illness forced him to step away. Colleagues and neighbors saw him as dependable, steady, and resolute — the kind of person who did the job right, week after week. Those traits fit cleanly with his other passions: watching Boston teams, loving American history, and polishing his short game when weather permitted.
The golfer who knew the course and the clubhouse
To write about John as an enthusiast and expert golf writer would be to say he was the guy who knew every yardage marker at Thorny Lea and could tell you where the breeze always seemed to pick up on the 12th tee. He played for pleasure and companionship, often traveling with his wife to courses and destinations that added new stories to his life ledger. When his family held celebrations, the conversation inevitably turned to the shot that got away, the perfect putt, or the new club he’d just bought — he always had the right gadget at hand.
Kitchen king and storyteller
Off the course, John was a skilled cook who loved food as much as a low, honest score. He was known to show up with a kitchen utensil tailored to the task and a recipe ready to impress. Thanksgiving became a kind of legend in the family, with warm scenes in his brother’s kitchen where John and his late brother-in-law, Billy Cavanaugh, teamed up to roast turkeys that brought everyone back year after year. He also savored the occasional fine cigar and treasured warm nights with friends at the lake in Saratoga Springs.
Family at the center
John was the loving husband of Linda Siegel-Croker, who stayed devoted throughout his illness. He is survived by his siblings: Patricia Spearin of Easton; Deborah Cavanaugh of Lakeville; James Croker and fiancée Celestina Rodrigues of Brockton; Kevin Croker and his wife Maria of Brockton; and Kathy Turcotte and her husband Joseph of Taunton. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis E. Croker Jr. and Joan F. (Merchant) Hayes, and his brother Michael.
Gratitude for the hands that helped
Family members expressed deep appreciation for the compassion and care shown by his caregiver, Gladys Scott, and for the companionship and support provided by his friend Antone DaSilva during the toughest stretches of his illness. Those bonds brought comfort and small mercies as his health declined.
Services and ways to remember him
After cremation, a memorial gathering is scheduled at Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., Brockton, MA, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A celebration of John’s life will follow at Thorny Lea Golf Club, 159 Torrey St., Brockton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
Why golfers and neighbors will miss him
In the clubhouse, a man like John is remembered not for trophies but for the way he made the game social: pairing up with newcomers, sharing tips on breaks, and offering a steady hand when the round didn’t go as planned. He was a classic everyman on the course — talented enough to be respected, humble enough to laugh it off, and generous enough to buy the next round when the group needed a lift. For local golf enthusiasts, the fairways will be a little quieter without him.
Legacy
John leaves behind a broad circle of family and friends — cousins, nieces, nephews, and longtime teammates — and the kind of memories that come from shared meals, road trips, and afternoons spent chasing a small white ball across a well-worn fairway. He lived a life that married hard work with the pleasures of good company and the quiet rituals of golf and cooking. Those who knew him will remember the stories, the gadgets, and the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the memorial gathering?
The memorial gathering will be at Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., Brockton, MA, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Where will the celebration of life be held?
The celebration of John’s life will follow at Thorny Lea Golf Club, 159 Torrey St., Brockton.
Who survived John Croker?
He is survived by his wife Linda Siegel-Croker and his siblings Patricia Spearin, Deborah Cavanaugh, James Croker (and fiancée Celestina Rodrigues), Kevin Croker (and wife Maria), and Kathy Turcotte (and husband Joseph). He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Michael.
Are donations being accepted?
Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
Who provided care and support during his illness?
His family expressed deep gratitude to caregiver Gladys Scott and to friend Antone DaSilva for their dedication and companionship.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Memorial Gathering | Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., Brockton, MA — September 2, 2025, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Celebration Location | Thorny Lea Golf Club, 159 Torrey St., Brockton — following the memorial gathering |
| Preferred Memorial Contributions | Parkinson’s Foundation; American Parkinson Disease Association |
| Survived By | Wife: Linda Siegel-Croker; Siblings: Patricia, Deborah, James (and fiancée Celestina), Kevin (and wife Maria), Kathy (and husband Joseph) |
| Predeceased By | Parents Louis E. Croker Jr. and Joan F. (Merchant) Hayes; brother Michael; brother-in-law Billy Cavanaugh |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Enterprise News: John F. Croker Obituary
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Tribute Archive: Carol J. Fratus Obituary
- Google Search: John F. Croker
- Keohane Funeral Home: Lisa Maloney Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Obituary
- Joyce Funeral Home: Harry Burns Jr. Obituary
- Google News: Parkinson’s Foundation
- Farley Funeral Home: Elizabeth Crowe Obituary
- Google Scholar: Parkinson Disease Association
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
