John Clayton Waseleski, 82
MARION- John Clayton Waseleski, 82, of Marion, died Friday February 6th, 2026 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was the husband of the late Elaine Jean Waseleski, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.
Born on May 6th, 1943 in Norwood Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Joseph Waseleski Sr. and Hazel (Rowell) Waseleski. John was raised in Foxboro, Massachusetts and graduated from Foxboro High School. He was the President of his high school class and was also Foxboro High School’s star quarterback. John continued his education earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. John had an exceptional career as an electrical engineer, eventually becoming the President of the company, Equipment Sales. John spoke fondly of his work, especially when sharing stories about his sales trip to Japan working with Fuji.
John was an avid fisherman and loved spending summer days on his boat, PolCat, fishing with his son Timothy. When he wasn’t fishing, he was golfing; you could find him outside each evening when the weather was nice hitting golf balls. He enjoyed participating in his weekly golf league at Little Harbor golf course, spending time with the friends he made there over the years. John loved reading thrillers with his favorite author being James Patterson. He also enjoyed watching foreign detective shows such as Italian and British crime series. John loved to travel to one of his favorite places, Sanibel Island, where he spent many winters with his wife, Elaine.
John was also an extremely talented artist. He spent a lot of time in the basement of his home painting or wood working. He enjoyed re-creating many famous paintings including The Starry Night and Scream, painting holiday themed photos for his children and grandchildren, as well as painting his loved ones favorites including Steam Boat Willy, Minnie Mouse, cardinals, hummingbirds, and more.. As a talented wood carver, he carved many cherished Santa Clauses, gnomes, orchids, fish, and more. He even hand-made cradles, wagons, and doll houses for little ones. His spirit will live on forever through the incredible pieces of art that he left behind. If John wasn’t participating in one of his many hobbies, he was thinking about his next meal! He loved food and especially cherished his weekly meals at River Junction and Courtyard Restaurant with his best friend and son-in-law, Donald. John made an impact on each and every person he met. He especially loved his favorite waitress, Heather, from the Courtyard.
John, or otherwise known as “Ba” or “Bazy” to his family, was a cherished husband, son, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was an incredibly proud and resilient man. Anyone who knew him, knew he was extremely proud of his family. He often shared stories of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, telling friends and acquaintances of their many accomplishments, both personal and professional. Elaine and John’s grandchildren referred to them as “Mammy and Ba.” All 8 grandchildren would often have sleepovers at their home, creating memories that they will all hold dear to their hearts. Mammy and Ba instilled the importance of family to all of their children and grandchildren. Their home was everyone’s safe space; Mammy and Ba provided advice, encouragement, love, strength, and care to all of their family. Ba would do absolutely anything to help his family. He enjoyed taking his family out on his boat fishing, as so many special and cherished memories were created on those summer days. Ba could always make us laugh with his many stories and comments. He also cherished his newest role as a great-grandfather; he loved carving pumpkins each Halloween, watching them swim in the pool in the summer, and spending time with them.
John’s resilience was evident by his 37 years of sobriety; something that he was incredibly proud of. John was an inspiration to so many on their sobriety journey. For years he volunteered at NORCAP in Norwood, running AA meetings. He found an immense amount of purpose in helping others find a rehabilitation facility and assisting them in maintaining their sobriety. John eventually went back to Stonehill College to receive a certificate which allowed him to become a sobriety counselor and sponsor.
John is survived by his children, Timothy Waseleski and his wife Phet of Bellingham, Lynn Bliss and her husband Donald of Mattapoisett, and Kristine Gallagher and her husband Gary of Wareham; his 8 grandchildren Kathryn Cook and her husband Jonathan, Corine Waseleski, Adam Bliss-Cohen and his husband Donald, Lindsey Waseleski and her fiance Brendan, Morgan Lafreniere and her husband Thomas, Sara Gallagher, Bryan Gallagher, and Kylie Waseleski; and 3 great-grandchildren, Tyler and Claire Cook, and Beckham O’Leary, his brother Jerald Waseleski, his beloved dog, Minnie, along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his late wife, Elaine Waseleski, his parents Hazel and Joseph Waseleski Sr, his brothers Joseph Waseleski and James Waseleski, and his sisters, Marilyn Snow and Anne Street.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy (RT. 28), Wareham on Sunday, February 22nd, from 1-3pm. A celebration of life and prayer will be held at 3:00pm. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to Gosnold Behavioral Health in Wareham, Massachusetts, a non-profit addiction and mental health treatment provider or Southcoast Health at Home Hospice. https://gosnold.org/ways-to-donate/
