John P. "Jay" Wilkins

John P. “Jay” Wilkins, 81, died peacefully at home May 19, 2025. He was born July 8, 1943, in Cambridge, the son of F. Raymond Wilkins and A. Virginia (Crowe) Wilkins, and raised in Braintree.

Jay graduated from Archbishop Williams High School, excelling in football, hockey and baseball. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Boston College where he played three years of varsity baseball. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam era. On August 23, 1969, Jay married Linda A. “Lynn” Ruell and began a life together in Westborough where they raised four daughters.

In addition to his parents, Jay was predeceased by his sister Susan, her husband Hugh and their son Greg McTigue and his brother Mark Wilkins. He leaves his beloved wife of 55 years, Lynn; daughters Elaine Guagnini and husband Brian of Shrewsbury, Suzanne Wilkins of Worcester, Kathy Schnair and husband Michael of Natick, and Melinda Whitaker and husband John of N. Kingstown, RI; and his adored grandchildren Emma and Kate Guagnini, James, Hannah and Ryan Schnair, and Juniper and Nula Whitaker. He is survived by his sisters Ginny Donovan (Paul) and Ann Carroll (Tom), brother-in-law Bud Ruell (Janet), sister-in-law Elaine Fleming (Michael), many nieces, nephews and friends he considered family.

Jay worked 21 years at Norton Company and travelled extensively for work and with Lynn. He loved family vacations and spending time with friends and family at Sand Pond, Maine. Most of all, he loved skiing (still skied at 80 years old!) as well as watching and encouraging his grandchildren in their sporting events and all aspects of their lives. He was incredibly proud of all of them. His family will miss him so very much.

Jay’s family would like to thank MetroWest Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 5, at 10:30 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Wednesday, June 4, from 4 to 7 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made in Jay’s name to Massachusetts Fallen Heroes or to Pancreatic Cancer Research and Support.