John Cox, Sr.

CHARLTON – John S. Cox, Sr., 64, died peacefully on May 19, 2008, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer), a brain tumor, and prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Renata "Randy" A. Cox of Charlton; two children, Ann M. LaBonte and her husband Lawrence of Brimfield, and John S. Cox Jr. and his wife Amanda of Euless, TX; a brother, Richard Cox of Duxbury; three sisters, Barbara Russell of Canton, Elinor Stein of Milton, and Patricia O'Kane of Carver; five grandchildren, Maren LaBonte, Joshua Cox, Abigail Cox, Monica Cox, and Emily Cox; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by two brothers, Warren Cox and Joseph Cox; and a sister, Judith Ford. Mr. Cox was born in Boston, the son of the late Joseph and Mildred (Roche) Cox, and lived in Milton, Lowell, and Hudson, before moving to Charlton 29 years ago. He graduated from Milton High School in 1961, Northeastern University in 1967, and received his master's degree in business and accounting from Anna Maria College. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, where he received the bronze star and retired as Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. Mr. Cox was an accountant for the Catholic Free Press for 3 years, retiring in 2004. Previously, he was an instructor for the Department of Defense in Southbridge for 4 years and held various accounting positions throughout his life. He was an acolyte, lector, and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph's Church in Charlton. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 11397 in Charlton, also serving as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and District Deputy. Mr. Cox was a Secular Franciscan and founded the cancer support group at St. Joseph's Church in Charlton. He was a participant in the Relay for Life in Southbridge. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008, at St. Joseph's Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton. Burial will follow at Northside Cemetery, Charlton. Calling hours are Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, May 23, 2008, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Charlton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UMass Memorial Foundation, c/o Multiple Myeloma, P.O. Box 2795, Worcester, MA 01613 or St. Joseph's Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton, MA 01507. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, is directing the arrangements.