John F. Cox, 82, passed away May 29, 2025, in his home in Merrimack surrounded by his family after a long battle with congestive heart failure.  Born on August 19, 1942, John was the son of the late John and Helen (White) Cox formerly of Watertown, MA, and the beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Quirke) Cox.

John worked as a tool and die machinist at Sprague Electric in Hudson, NH before retiring as foreman of the machine shop at Felton Brush in Londonderry, NH.

After moving to Merrimack, NH in 1971, he became an auxiliary police officer for the Merrimack Police Department.  John was a 54-year communicant at Our Lady of Mercy Parish and was among the first extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6725. Through the Knights, he volunteered with the Nashua soup kitchen. He was also a member of RENEW and Evangelization. John celebrated 40 years of sobriety on May 5, 2025, an achievement he and his family were very proud of. John was a sponsor for others working with the AA program.

John was deeply proud of his Irish heritage, visiting Ireland multiple times with his wife and family, which is where he discovered his love of cows. He deeply loved animals, especially his many pets and his groundhog, Henrietta. He dedicated countless hours to rescuing and rehabilitating animals. John also had an interest in photography and enjoyed taking pictures of wildlife and nature. John had a light-hearted nature and enjoyed causing mischief in his family, often initiating wrapping paper fights on Christmas, and hiding an Easter egg under his hat during the yearly egg hunt. Despite frequently turning his hearing aid down at the weekly family night, he always had a smile on his face amidst the chaos.

John is predeceased by his eldest son, John (Jack) Cox. He leaves behind his three daughters, Karen Avard and husband John of Manchester, NH, Helen Caron and husband Michael, and Peggy Kurzweil and husband Scott, both of Merrimack, NH; his son, Michael Cox and wife Tammy of Calais, ME; his grandchildren (who lovingly called him Boppie), Denise (Bell) Hurley, Shannon (Kurzweil) Council, Rachel Avard, Rebecca (Avard) Cox, Hannah (Avard) Bleggi, Vanessa Avard, Sam Avard, Stephanie Caron, Tiernan Cox, and Molleigh Cox; as well as great grandchildren Soph, Olivia, Ronan, Lyanna, and Linkin.

Calling hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home located at 425 Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack, NH on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Parish located at 16 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack, NH on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 9:30 AM. A burial will be held on a later date.