April 6, 1952 – February 18, 2024
John G. Weigel IV (71) of Reading and Mashpee, MA passed away on February 18, 2024, surrounded by family, after a valiant struggle against aggressive bladder cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years Linda Smith, his daughter Susan Weigel Saintiche (husband Jerry Saintiche) of Reading, MA, as well as his daughter Leah Smith Weigel (husband Eric Girouard) of Jay, Maine. He is also survived by his sister Constance and her husband Rob Shelansky, and his Uncle Charles and Aunt Rose Carroll their children Amy and Steve. He is also survived by his brothers’ in law Marshall and Stanley Smith and his sister in law Laurie Smith along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
John was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to John G. Weigel III and Catherine (Carroll) Weigel. He moved to Massachusetts as a child where his family relocated Lenox then Topsfield where he was the director of the Audubon Sanctuary summer camps, curated his love of nature, and graduated from Masconomet Regional High School in 1970. He went on to graduate as 1 out of 11 in a class of 66 from Carnegie Mellon University in 1975 with a degree in architecture.
John had an illustrious 45-year career in design, development and construction of real estate projects. Early in his career, John was employed by the renowned international design firm The Architect’s Collaborative (TAC) in Cambridge, MA and became the youngest vice president of the firm while forging many lifelong friendships. In his long career, John designed, developed and oversaw construction of international projects from Baghdad to Buenos Aires. Notable projects include the main academic library at the University of Baghdad and the Glenstal Abbey in Ireland.
Domestically, he completed projects from Maine to Los Angeles, including dozens of projects in the Boston area including the Thomas P. O’Neil library at Boston College. John was renowned for his expertise in multi-family housing, having designed, developed, and administrated the construction of thousands of residential units. Notable projects include Flagship Wharf in the Charlestown Navy Yard (where he met Linda), multiple projects at Cambridge’s University Park, the Bulfinch Triangle, the Seaport District, the Fenway area, and his final residential project, Park 151, at Cambridge Crossing. He also oversaw development of significant life sciences buildings in Boston and Cambridge. Just for fun, John helped build transportation facilities and a beautiful synagogue in Wellesley MA. He completed these projects while working for best in class firms including The Raymond Group, Forest City Realty Advisers, and Samuels and Associates. He also created his own consulting firm, Navigator Development Advisors, which advised many other companies on real estate projects. His most personal project was the recent completion of the family’s lakefront home in Mashpee!
John was a great mentor to younger staff in all his various roles. Most importantly, John understood and believed that it takes a team to design and build anything, and he worked to bring out the best in everyone with whom he worked.
From an early age, John embraced the sea and was an avid sailor and boatsman. His happiest times were when his bottom was wet, whether sailing the coast of Maine, kayaking or enjoying evening cruises on his pontoon boat with his family and friends in Mashpee MA. John’s keen intellect and natural curiosity of people, places and things made him a whiz at Jeopardy and a great storyteller. John was a wonderful traveling companion and he visited many countries for work and pleasure. He would regale his fellow travelers with the history, particularly the architectural history, of the places, buildings and sites visited. He had an incredible memory for the historical dates and events that enriched such travels.
As a teenager, John discovered the works of JRR Tolkien and lived by his motto, “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost…”. John never met a stranger as he always made immediate friends wherever he went. John helped create the infamous TT’s (Third Thursdays) group which was a monthly dinner group that included colleagues and friends. He was the raconteur and its self appointed leader. As an avid canoeist, he cajoled many of those friends to join him on the yearly run of the Charles. He was a great cook, passionate baker and entertainer, always sharing his secret recipes. He loved good wine and “brown liquor”, and made a fabulous old fashion!
John deeply loved his family and cherished his many friends. His daughters want everyone to know that John was the best dad in the universe, and that he was the love of Linda’s life. Throughout his entire illness, no matter what came his way, he never complained and fought valiantly to the end. John was incredibly appreciative of the healthcare professionals who fought hard for him during his fight.
John requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greater Boston Food Bank to feed the hungry mouths of thousands of children in communities all around Boston.
Services will be private. Celebration of life will be open to all who knew and loved John to share their stories and memories of him. It will be on his birthday April 6,2024 from 12p-3p at Sheraton Four Points Wakefield; 1 Audubon Rd Wakefield, MA 01880.
