John F. Wieslander

John F. Wieslander, 88, of Worcester, a retired Worcester Fire Lieutenant, passed away on Saturday, May 22, 2021, with his daughter at his bedside.

John is survived by “his Joanie”, the love of his life, who he met one enchanted day at the PNI Club where she was waiting tables. They had their first “date” at the dance hall at the White Eagle and courted for about four years before marrying and spending the next fifty-three years together.  John and Joan G. (Moroski) Wieslander raised three children in the Webster Square section of Worcester.

He is also survived by their three children, Steven J. Chapman of Winchester, NH, Sandra A. Bernard of Dudley, and Kristina A. Wieslander with whom John and Joan lived; five grandchildren, John Chapman, Scott Bernard, Janelle Bernard, Erin Bernard, and Anthony Wieslander; five great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.  John was predeceased by a sister, Janet V. Dellasanta and by his son in law, Jerry Bernard.  John was born in Worcester, son of the late, John E. and Anna L. (Landin) Wieslander; and was raised here before serving his nation proudly in the United States Army.

John served the people of Worcester as a Firefighter; he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992, and retired in 1998 after thirty-five years of dedicated service; and was extremely proud to have seen his grandson, Anthony live-out the career he retired from. 

John was very dedicated to his family and worked tirelessly to provide for them.  While working as a firefighter he also worked in “Quinsig Village” as an auto mechanic, dedicating over thirty years to fixing and repairing all kinds of cars.  Upon his retirement, never being one to sit idle, John drove school bus in Worcester for Laidlaw Bus Company.

John was a member of Our Lady of Angels Church, the American Legion Post 279, and the International Association of Firefighters.  He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, driving his Cadillac, admiring antique cars, and building model railroads.  He was always working on one project or another at home and his family knew he could fix anything.  He also restored and re-built a 1925 Nash, from the ground up.

John and Joan enjoyed traveling to Wells, Maine or to Rockport to enjoy the beaches and the calming sound of waves crashing along the shores.  The also roamed the country with their close friends, most memorably visiting the Firefighters Memorial in Colorado.

John’s family would like to thank the caring staff of doctors, nurses, and all involved in John’s care at Memorial Hospital as well as the great people from Visiting Angels, their care, compassion, and dedication was greatly appreciated.

A heartfelt “thank you” to Selina Goparian for the remarkable care she gave to John and Joan, allowing them to remain in the comfort of their own home, where they could be surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather for Calling Hours on Wednesday, May 26, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral will be on Thursday, May 27, departing the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester.  Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Leary Firefighters Foundation, by visiting www.learyfirefighters.org, then select “donate” from the options menu.