John Richard Karlberg

John R. Karlberg passed away peacefully on February 24th surrounded by his family at his home in Palm Coast, FL.  He was 81. John was born November 29th, 1941, in Weymouth, MA. Proud of his Swedish heritage and traditions, John was raised by his loving parents of Swedish descent, Russell and Frances Karlberg; John was the second youngest of four boys. He grew up in South Weymouth and attended Weymouth High School. After high school, John pursued an Ivy League education on a full scholarship to Columbia College in New York City, where he played football and graduated with honors, receiving a degree in Economics, class of 1963. John then served in the National Guard before proceeding to build a successful career in the transportation industry, working in executive roles with companies such as Sun Carriers Inc. and Jones Truck Lines, prior to becoming President and Chief Operating Officer at New England Motor Freight (NEMF).

God blessed John with an abundance of intelligence, charisma, talent, and work ethic. As a role model for many, John took these blessings and used them to help others realize their full potential. He was a special, one-of-a-kind man that knew the value of hard work and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Admired by many, John was known for imparting wisdom, leading by example, and for his generosity in giving to those in need and offering financial support to others, inspiring them to pursue their own goals. He valued education and lived a life of continuous learning, obtaining his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and teaching summer seminar as an adjunct professor for the University of Arkansas. 

While John was well accomplished in athletics, academics, and business, his greatest accomplishment was marrying the love of his life, Anne. Over their 58 years of marriage, they went on to create a legacy of family that spans 4 generations. His list of accomplishments throughout his life are extensive and noteworthy but none of which are more significant than the impact he has made on his daughters, Laurie, Debbie and Jennifer and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored him. 

Whether you called him John, Jack, JK, Dad or Big Daddy, knowing him made you a better person.  He was a voracious reader, enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and cherished spending time with his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren in the Poconos, Florida, North and South Carolina. John’s fight with cancer lasted over a decade, and his brave and hard-fought battle ended Friday, February 24th, 2023, sending him to the Lord where he will rest for eternity beside Jesus and his daughter Leigh-Anne.

John is survived by his wife, Anne Karlberg; brother, Kenneth Karlberg and sister-in-law Louise; brother Russell Karlberg; his daughter, Laurie Walck and son-in-law Ron Walck; daughter Debbie Bellino and son-in-law James Bellino; daughter Jennifer Hazelip and son-in-law Robert Hazelip; and grandchildren Jared McEvoy and his wife Katie; Shane McEvoy and his wife Cynthia, Jason McEvoy, Courtney Ayer and her husband Michael, Samantha Bellino, John Bellino, Anna Bellino, Lydia Hazelip, Luke Hazelip, Leigh-Anne Hazelip, and great-grandchildren Charlotte, Camila, Elizabeth.

He is predeceased by his parents, Russell and Frances Karlberg; brother, Gordon Karlberg; sister-in-law, Ann Karlberg and his daughter, Leigh-Anne Karlberg.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to the visitation for John on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 4-7pm in the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) Weymouth, MA. Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home Friday Morning for a Celebration of Life at 9am prior to the funeral service which will begin promptly at 10am in Old South Union Church also in Columbian Square. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Weymouth.