John I. Saunders, Jr., of Merrimack, NH, beloved husband of Mary Beth (Damian) Saunders, passed away March 12, 2022, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack after a long battle with multiple myeloma.  John was the youngest child of the late John "Jack" Saunders, Sr., and Elizabeth (Redington) Saunders of Walpole, MA.  John was born in Norwood, MA on February 19, 1957.  He attended Xaverian Brothers High School.  He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.  He earned his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.  John enjoyed a long, successful career working for electrical engineering firms including Honeywell, Sanders, Mercury Computer Systems and, for the last 16 years, MITRE Corporation.

John was a devoted father to Andrew Saunders of Washington, DC, and Megan (Saunders) Carpino and her husband Christian Carpino of Milford, NH.  Loving grandfather to Charlie John Carpino and Benjamin Michael Carpino.  Brother of Robert Saunders and his wife, Kathleen, Diane Saunders, who passed away in 2013, Jacquelyn (Saunders) Follet and her husband Paul, and Judy Saunders and her husband Peter Cameron.  John was a loving son-in-law to Theresa Damian and brother-in-law to Frances Damian, Paul Damian, Ann Marie (Damian) Passatempo and her husband Ron and John Damian and his wife Emy.  John is further survived by many nieces and nephews and a loving circle of friends.

John was an avid runner who participated in many 5 and 10K races, proudly winning his age group in more than a few.  He ran Reach the Beach for many years, with his team, the Grumpy Old Men.  He also ran 4 marathons, 1 in Philadelphia and 3 in Boston.  John loved the outdoors.  He enjoyed hiking, skiing, skating, and working in the yard.  John also had a passion for sports. He coached youth soccer in Merrimack for many years and always looked forward to watching Andrew and Meg's soccer and basketball games.  He loved to travel and visit new places, but his favorite place was home with his family.  John had a very dry sense of humor and a quick wit.  He often had family and friends laughing out loud.  He was a very kind, loving man.  Spending time with family and friends was what he loved most.  He was so happy and proud to be Grampy to Charlie and Ben.

Wake will be held at Rivet Funeral Home, 425 DW Highway, Merrimack, NH.  Visiting hours will be Thursday, March 17th from 4 - 7 PM.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 17 Grove St., Lynnfield, MA Friday, March 18th at 10 AM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.  Services will conclude with burial at Willow Cemetery, Lynnfield, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in John's name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, specifically to Multiple Myeloma (www.dana-farber.org) or to Home, Health and Hospice Care ( www.hhhc.org/how-to-help/memorial-gifts )