Born Giovanni Marcello Battaglino in Atripalda, Italy on April 20, 1934. "John" came to the United States at age 12 and settled with family in Newton, Massachusetts. He Graduated Newton High School in 1954 where he excelled in track and field as a sprinter and long-jumper. He joined the Army in 1954 and served honorably in Germany for 3 years as chief helicopter mechanic.

In 1959 John met, courted, and married Grace Maria Navarro and settled in Marlborough, Massachusetts in 1960. John founded Battaglino Builders in 1960 and built many houses in Marlborough and the surrounding area. During this time, he was a loving father of six children. In 1973 John also built and operated a successful movie theater business on Rte 20 in Marlborough, Marlboro 1-2-3 Cinemas, for 32 years.

He was very involved in the community where he was responsible for the construction of the youth baseball field on Williams Street in Marlborough which thrives to this day, and was a positive role model and father figure to many during his years as manager and coach of Marlborough Youth Baseball team, Mass Electric.

John is survived by his wife, Grace, of 52 years, his sons Robert and his wife Julie, Adam and his wife Nancy, Joseph and his wife Anissa, and daughters Audra and her husband Michael, and Lorna and her husband Duncan as well as five deeply loved grandchildren Nicholas, Jude, Elena, Samuel and Avery. He is predeceased by oldest son John who passed away in 2009.

He is also survived by his sisters, Carmela DelGaudio, Marie Byrnes, and Geraldine Fossile, and is predeceased by his sister Nina Needham.

John was a deeply philosophical, compassionate, and honorable man. The depth of his heart mind and spirit touched and uplifted us all. He will be deeply missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday June 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Prospect Street, Marlborough. Burial following cremation will be held in Evergreen Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Monday from 4-8 p.m. in the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. All are invited to sign John's online guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com.