John D. Mitsch

Dr. John D. Mitsch, 81, died peacefully at home on June 6, 2024 surrounded by his loving family after an epic 5 year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was born on April 24,1943 to John Donald Mitsch and Frances Mitsch (McFaul) and raised in Milton, MA.

John graduated from Milton School in 1961 and then in 1965 from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He then attended Tufts University Dental School and graduated in 1969 with a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree. John married Roberta (Cheney) in 1969. Drafted for Vietnam, he proudly served as a dentist and officer in the Army Dental Corps in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 earning a Bronze Star for his meritorious service. He then transitioned to the US Army Reserves and then subsequently the MA National Guard. He retired in 2003 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 34 years of combined Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard service. 

John and Roberta returned to Massachusetts in 1971 and settled in Weymouth. In 1972 he bought Weymouth Dental Associates where he practiced dentistry for the next 40 years. He absolutely loved being a dentist and caring for his patients. He was a Life Member of Wessagussett Yacht Club in Weymouth and was active in the youth sailing and racing programs for many years. He loved being a swim volunteer with the local non-profit program Swim With a Special Child. His hobbies included sailing, biking, playing tennis, traveling, woodworking, vacationing on Cape Cod, visiting his grandchildren and spending time with Zin, his golden retriever. He was Life Member of both the VFW Post 6053 in Hingham, MA and the American Legion George Bean Post 79 in Weymouth, MA serving as Post Commander in 1980.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years Roberta (Cheney), daughters Sarah (Major, Retired, US Army) of Silver Spring, MD, Andrea Cook and her husband James of Quincy, MA, and Kate Spahlinger and her husband John (Major, USMC) of San Diego, CA. Loving Pa to Lucy (9), Henry (7), and Ellen (2). He is survived by his sister Regina Dobson of Milton, MA and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to: Swim With a Special Child, Attn: Katie Bacon. 6 Clapp Rd.,Scituate, MA 02066 (https://swimwithaspecialchild.org/donate) or to: VFW's Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Scholarship Fund, VFW Post 6053, Attn: Quartermaster, PO Box 402, Hingham, MA 02043 or donations in John's Honor of Surviving Male Breast Cancer to: Marisas Mission, PO Box 850061, Braintree, MA 02185(www.marisas-mission.org)

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Tuesday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off Route 3A - Bicknell Square). A funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM in McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH. Burial will be private.