John A. Sleeper


John A. Sleeper, born at Haverhill Hospital on December 30, 1947, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2017 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after battling courageously with pulmonary disease for a decade.

He is survived by his beloved spouse of 22 years, Lena Mulia, his sisters, Jane Sleeper, Amy Loosigian, Martha Ouimet, his youngest brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harold A. Sleeper, and the Mulia brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was a devoted, caring, gentle, honest and humorous companion, husband, friend, brother, brother-in-law and uncle of the Sleepers and Mulias.

John was an employment counselor/job placement specialist at CETA in Newton, JVS in Boston and Chelsea Refugee Services to help less fortunate Americans, immigrants, and refugees from all over the world, all his life until he retired from the City of Chelsea in 2010.

He loved reading about history, politics and cultures from all over the world, had a great sense of humor and was talented in telling great jokes in difficult times. His motto was “Life is not perfect, but love.”

Special thanks to all John’s doctors and nurses at Mt. Auburn Hospital, Dr. David Kanarek at MGH, Dr. Stanley Sagov and all his staff in Arlington and Dr. Nataly Minkina at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611 or online at https://secure.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/checkout/donation?eid=115886

He will be profoundly missed and a memorial service to celebrate John’s life with his close friends, siblings, and relatives is being planned.

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28 Condolences

  1. Janice Philpot - SCALE on August 15, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    On behalf of SCALE, we send our condolences. In moments such as this we trust your memories will bring peace and joy to you and your family. May John’s spirit and love of life be celebrated and honored.



  2. Rosie Hanlon on August 15, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Dear Lena,

    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband. I am honored to have met him and yes, his kind and gentle soul was indeed pronounced in such a great way, by his very presence. Please know that myself and all of your friends at Jackson Mann Community Center are with you now in thought and prayer.
    May he rest in Peace.
    ~ Rosie Hanlon



  3. Brose on August 15, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    In a better time, we walked in woods and swam streams and ponds. Your dog Dinah chased and barked a local bully into one of those ponds and held him at bay. We never feared the bully again but made sure Dinah always traveled with us. All the siblings marveled at Dinah’s litter of pups. Latter we found music, authors, ideas, irony and politics. And, of course, we made a party where ever we went. In a better time we will do it all again. God bless you Lena and may God be with you both. Brose and Cam Sleeper



  4. Constance Devanthery-Lewis on August 16, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Dear Lena,

    I am so sorry to hear that John has passed away. I didn’t know him, but it seems from others’ comments that he was a generous and loving person. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family as you grieve his passing and celebrate his life.

    Constance



  5. Adriane Cioppa on August 16, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    Dear Lena,
    I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most sincere condolences.



  6. ngaio schiff on August 16, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Dear Lena,
    I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing. He sounds like a wonderful man. All of us at SCALE are thinking of you and your family and send our sincere condolences.



  7. ANN PELLAGRINI on August 17, 2017 at 12:33 am

    Dear Lena, I am so sorry for your loss. You and John were a great team supporting each other through all of life’s ups, downs and in-between. My heart goes out to you. I will keep John in my thoughts and prayers and you as well. Be strong and know that John will give the angels many laughs. For John’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. May the love of family and friends help you during this difficult time. Peace to you all and may John rest in peace.



  8. Jane Sleeper on August 19, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    John was a good,kind, humorous and loving brother. We shared many experiences together and he always made me laugh. I could tell many stories but I have little space,so I will give one example. We, John primarily, were working on a car that my father bought for me. My first car, a Ford Pinto Station Wagon. I was the assistant. It was a hot summer day and sweat was streaming down our faces. John had nearly disappeared into the engine. I was handing one tool after another to him. After some time and a great effort John emerged with a long blue cylindrical object and held it high up into the air and proclaimed ” it’s a boy!” I laughed so hard. John was just so funny. But he was a good, generous and kind brother too. My deepest condolences go to Lena, my sister in law, my sisters, Amy and Martha and my brother Brose. We all shared many good times with our brother John. My condolences also go to my cousins on the Domenici side of the family and to John’s closest and best friends, Leonid and his wife. John will be deeply missed by so many.



  9. Jill Uchiyama on August 20, 2017 at 10:18 am

    Dear Lena,
    I am very sorry to hear about the passing of John. I have a memory of him standing tall next to you at one of our parties. A quiet man, he complimented you so well. I will be touched by that brief meeting and the joy that existed between you. Know that I’m thinking of you at this time and sending love to you and your family.



  10. Toni Ratna Mulia on August 20, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Dearest Lena,
    We ‘re sorry to hear that John Sleeper has passes away and we just can send our deepest condolences.

    From your beloved sister



  11. Meryl Becker on August 20, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    So sorry to hear about John’s passing. I have so many nice memories of all of us at ECI and celebrating your wedding with you at Kowloon. May all your good memories sustain you during this difficult time.



  12. Vuka on August 20, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Dear Lena,
    I`m very sorry to hear that your husband John has passed away.
    He was a wonderful man ,and loving person .God bless you Lena. My sincere condolences,



  13. Itje and Jim Kobielus on August 20, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Dear Lena,

    We offer our deepest condolences to you on John’s passing. We pray that he is now at rest. Our hearts go out to you in this sad time.



  14. Yasmine Hung on August 21, 2017 at 12:44 am

    Dear Lena,

    I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May the love of your family and friends bring you comfort and peace!



  15. Beth Britz on August 21, 2017 at 3:16 am

    Lena,

    You know I feel your loss. John was kind and funny and intellectual. I remember our good times at parties and on the North Shore. I’m so sorry. You know I’m here for you if you want to talk or need anything.

    Love,

    Beth



  16. Dzenan Caus on August 21, 2017 at 11:41 am

    On behalf of the Caus family we would like to send you are deepest condolences on John’s passing. He will be missed by all those that he touched. He was very genuine, and always willing to help others. He will surely be missed by many.



  17. DOMEN on August 21, 2017 at 11:44 am

    In the brief time I spent with John, I came to know a kind, funny and compassionate man. Not only did we share political views but quite a few laughs as well. I always enjoyed our conversations. My heart goes out to Lena, Jane, Amy, Martha and Brose. May beautiful memories of John offer you comfort. God bless♡



  18. Domenica Giordano on August 21, 2017 at 11:45 am

    In the brief time I spent with John, I came to know a kind, funny and compassionate man. Not only did we share political views but quite a few laughs as well. I always enjoyed our conversations. My heart goes out to Lena, Jane, Amy, Martha and Brose. May beautiful memories of John offer you comfort. God bless♡



  19. Vladimir on August 21, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    To Lena and family: We are very sorry for your loss. John helped my family and many refugees around the world, he was a good man with a big heart. We are very saddened and John will stay in our memories.
    – Vladimir & Mara Pejic



  20. Soka on August 22, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Dear Lena,

    I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing. John was great man, teacher, friend. He will be missed by many of as whom he helped. Rest in Peace dear John. My sincere condolences.



  21. Lori Segall on August 23, 2017 at 1:31 am

    Dear Lena,

    I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. I didn’t know him but I wish I had because I am now doing employment counseling for immigrants. I’m sure he had a kind heart to do the work he did. Just know that we at SCALE are thinking of you.



  22. Jennifer Mulia on August 24, 2017 at 1:44 am

    Dear Aunt Lena,

    I’m sorry to hear about the passing of uncle John. I haven’t met him in person, but i always think that he was a wonderful man. You know that you are in my thought and prayers. My sincere condolences.

    With love,
    Jennifer



  23. Srecko on August 27, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    I am sorry for your loss Lena. John was a wonderful man who helped many. He will be missed very much.



  24. Tom & Teresa MULIA on August 28, 2017 at 6:41 am

    Dear Lena,

    Time flies so fast and todate is alreaady one(1) month since John Departure. On behalf of The MULIA’s we like to extend our deep Simphaty and condolences. “May Eternal Rest grant unto your beloved son John A Sleeper, O’ Lord and may your Perpetual Light shine upon him and may his soul rest in peace. Amen.

    With Love and Hugs,
    Tom & Eng.
    .



  25. Mary Ellen D'Angelo on August 30, 2017 at 1:00 am

    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, Lena. May his memory and your joyful times together carry you through his loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.



  26. Kay and Suranto Stark on September 1, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    Dear Lena,
    Suranto and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of your wonderful husband, John. We wish so much we could have met him.
    We would love to see you after so many years and so much we’ve all missed. Please let’s get together. You are welcome to come to Florida and stay with us for a respite. We will be in Connecticut in October and November and would like to go to the memorial service, if possible.



  27. Howard Schulman on September 11, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    Dear Lena,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I am so happy I got to know you and John and only wish I had met you both sooner. He was a very warm, friendly and soft spoken man and no matter what the conversation he had a great sense of humor and never at a loss for a funny joke(s). My sincere condolences. He will be greatly missed!



  28. John and Cathy Blackburn on November 3, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    Dear Lena,
    We were upset to hear of John’s passing. We know that he loved you immensely and was so happy to share his life with you. You were a remarkable couple, always laughing and full of joy! We know that he is with the Lord and that his love and spirit live on in all our wonderful memories of him. We picture him here at the farm in our back yard, sitting in a large wooden chair with a beer and telling a long lovely joke that we all laugh at and appreciate. We hope to see you soon so we can hug you. We are praying for you. Love John and Cathy Blackburn



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