It was bound to happen eventually, on March 20, 2025, at 4:45 PM, the reaper he had so long kept at bay finally won the round. John, “Gus,” “Bear,” “Trouble,” etc, Angus DeSalvo, Jr., a (relatively) ripe 69 years, had played the game well thus far, beating several cancers, heart attacks, poor judgement, and only he knows what else. Folks in the know had considered that he may be immortal, given the rounds so inexplicably won. He never expected to see the birth of his last son, much less that son’s own son.

He, alone, cannot take credit for all of these successes. Dr. Mike, Erin, and the many other amazing folks along the way helped make it happen. And so much thanks to his dearest Allison, you meant more to him than you may ever know. He kept at it because of his treasured children, Joey DeSalvo, John Carson and half-sibling, Hal Carson, Aaron DeSalvo, and the memory of John Angus “Jack” DeSalvo III. He may not have always handled things the way he would have chosen later in life, but his love never faltered.

He lamented that he never really got to know his granddaughter, Jacquelyn DeSalvo, his son, Aaron and Angela DeSalvo’s daughter, and delighted in his time with his grandson, Jonah Chesnulavich. He was very pleased to have reconnected with his cousin, Brenda Banks-Tirone. He never stopped missing his sister, Kim DeSalvo Zaarour, who beat him to the punch. He was still angry at the tragedy of his late wife, Donna DeSalvo, which could have been much delayed. He loves her still. Her sister, Cheryl LoPriore, has been a godsend, especially to his son, Joey. He has also been grateful for the camaraderie of Sam Harvey, Ed Sailor, and other fellow masters of Pokémon Go, and even the members of the local constabulary, who would each inevitably get to know him as he suspiciously trolled the late night darkness of Mendon, MA and surrounding towns at a fraction of the speed limit, hatching eggs rather than mischief. My, how times had changed for John!

His personal journey took him many places, and to many vocations. Too clever for his own good, and too obstinate for anyone else’s; he had many opportunities, followed by many opportunities for change. At work he was known to disappear on occasion, not just for his alleged cigarette, but often to clear the snow from elder’s vehicles, or ferry an inebriated soul safely home. Work aside, he was a great dancer, legendary at Pokemon Go, single handedly kept a large population of hummingbirds going, for which they knew him and thanked him, loyally supported the @#! NY Giants, and had a knack for connecting with the everyday people in his life. He was often charming, loyal, kind, and kind of hilarious, although not as often as he suspected. He’d stick his landing on his word, even if it killed him, which only ever happened once.

He will be missed by many, celebrated by some, possibly for this last act.

Please feel free to come by and share more stories at his casual Celebration of Life, which will be held on April 27th at the Unitarian Congregation of Mendon and Uxbridge, 13 Maple St., Mendon, MA, starting at 2:00 PM and ending, like John, when it’s good and ready.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local humane shelter, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital (thanks again for saving young John C.), or your favorite worthy charity. He would likely be pleased with a few last acts of kindness.