John Russell Packard, a lifelong resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, died at home on December 26, 2022, after living a long, full, and deeply rewarding life. He was 92 years old. John was born on May 14, 1930 to Kenneth and Helen (Moakley) Packard. In his youth, he excelled as a student and on the track team before graduating from Lexington High School in 1948. He then matriculated at Harvard College, which was to become the most transformative experience of his life. His track career continued, his discovery of Widener Library's riches began, and deeply meaningful and lasting relationships took root. John graduated in 1952 with a degree in philosophy, went directly to Harvard Law School, and graduated in 1955. His next two years were spent in the United States Army, stationed in Germany through 1957. Upon returning home, he took a position in the Trust Department at State Street Bank.

It was during these years that his greatest stroke of good fortune materialized in the form of Debra Carroll, whom he met at the bank and married on April 14, 1967. His family was his greatest source of pride and he and Debbie welcomed John Jr. and Matthew into their lives in 1968 and 1970, respectively. In 1968, John took a position at Comins & Newbury in Boston, where his career in probate law gained momentum. He quickly became a fixture there, and earned himself a reputation as an exceptional lawyer and precisely the type of person one would want handling estates and taking care of one's affairs.

John shared his expertise broadly and generously throughout his life. He served as Chair of Lexington's Historic District Commission from 1978 to 1988, was a member of the Trustees of Public Trusts, and regularly volunteered his services in both Suffolk and Middlesex District Courts. As his career continued, he felt increasingly moved to do something about the growing inequities plaguing our country. This led him and Debbie to spend seven summers working with the Navajo Nation and its Chief Justice in Window Rock, Arizona, helping wherever he was needed - rewriting their probate law code, settling disputes, or assisting law clerks. His career at Comins & Newbury extended into the 2000s, and he stayed with clients well past his 80 ^th birthday. If he was your lawyer, you were better for it.

John traveled this distinguished professional journey enriched by a family he loved unconditionally. They spent many wonderful summers together in East Dennis, Massachusetts, and then the past 25 summers in Castine, Maine. He loved watching his sons in various athletic exploits, and this was eventually replaced by grandchildren excelling on playing fields and stages of their own. He enjoyed growing raspberries in Castine to pick with his grandchildren, splitting wood, classical music, wonderful dogs who gave him great joy, and sharing his dry wit and singular sense of humor. John had many dear friends with whom he enjoyed extended dinners and conversation about the state of the world. He lived a life free of envy, full of service to others, and saturated in scores of books he drew from every day. If you were fortunate enough to know him, you did not know a finer person.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Debbie, sons, John Jr. (North Andover, Massachusetts) and Matthew (Hingham, Massachusetts), their wives, Kim and Jenny, and five adoring grandchildren - Kate, Elizabeth, Charlie, Madeline and Owen. Gifts in his memory may be made to Harvard Divinity School or Phillips Brooks House Association. A memorial service will be held at The Memorial Church of Harvard University on Saturday, January 28 at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow.

Harvard Divinity School — www.hds.harvard.edu/tribute-packard

1. Address for mailed gifts: Harvard University, PO Box 419209, Boston, MA 02241-9209 with notation that it is intended for Harvard Divinity School in memory of John Packard

2. Phllips Brooks House Association - pbha.org