John M. O’Toole, late of Bedford, IN, formerly of Worcester, Massachusetts died peacefully on May 3rd, 2025. He was surrounded by his large, loving family right up until his final moments. He leaves his wife Joan (Curé) O’Toole of Bedford; three children: Jay O’Toole (Jessica) of Groton, MA, Marie O’Toole of Rutland, MA, and Philip O’Toole (Misty) of Bedford, IN. He also leaves 12 grandchildren, who were an endless source of pride and enjoyment for John: Valentina (Notcheva) Holyshevska (Artem) of West Warwick, RI, Hunter L. and Ava E. O’Toole of Groton, MA, Stanimir I. and Stefan I. Notchev and Natalia I. Notcheva of Rutland, MA, Eva J., Evan P., Charles J., Amelia J. O’Toole, Triston D. and Cameron D. Sheets of Bedford, IN. He also leaves one brother, Francis H. O’Toole of Clinton, MA.

John was born July 19, 1937 in Clinton, MA to Henry and Mary O’Toole. A 1955 graduate of Clinton High School, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree at Worcester State College and a Graduate Degree in history from Northeastern University. He taught history for 31 years in the Worcester Public Schools, and later became a professor at both Worcester State College and the W.I.S.E. Program at Assumption College. John served six years in the U.S. Army and served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

John married Joan P. Curé of Worcester in 1964. They enjoyed over 60 years of a joyous, loving marriage. In their later years, John and Joan especially loved traveling, visiting dozens of countries around the world and making many lasting friendships.

John was never happier than when wading in a trout stream with a full creel. He was an amateur archeologist and genealogist. He was an avid collector of coins and had a deep, lifelong love of all dogs. From his childhood with Tippy and Ginger, to his granddogs Charlie and Rocky, to Ginny and Buddy and all other pups he ever met. He was also proud to have been a part of the Turnveiran gymnastics club in Clinton as a teen/ young adult. Though he moved from Clinton to Worcester 60 years ago, he always called Clinton home and loved assisting at the Clinton Historical Society. His professional accomplishments are far too numerous to list in their entirety, but he was a respected Holocaust scholar and lecturer who had a tree planted in his honor at the Yeshiva in Jerusalem and was instrumental in establishing the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. He authored two books, “Tornado! 84 Minutes, 94 Lives” and “Return to Zion”, and co-authored a third book, “Clinton’s WWII Veterans Tribute Volume”.

The family also wished to express their sincerest thanks and appreciation to the nursing staff and residents at Stonebridge Health Campus for their loving care and support of John during his last two years.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, May 9th, 2025 at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street in Worcester. The funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 23 Fales Street in Worcester on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am, followed by the burial at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in John’s name be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.