John F. Rice, age 85, a 59-year resident of Winchester, formerly of Watertown, passed away on February 21, 2026, lovingly surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband for 63 years to Peggy H. (Conway) Rice.

Born in Brighton, he was the son of Irish immigrants Domenick V. and Honor M. (Sullivan) Rice. He was raised and educated in Watertown and was a graduate of Watertown High School. John attended Northeastern University at night while working and raising his family, graduating with a degree in engineering. He had a long and successful career at Kevlin Microwave Corp and then as CEO at Schliefring North America. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. Family was the most important thing for him — he enjoyed attending all of his children’s, then his grandchildren’s sporting events, performances and graduations. He was active up until recently, still going to the gym and walking Horn Pond, the Fells, or along the Cape Cod Canal. He enjoyed spending time with Peggy at his cottage in Sandwich. He also enjoyed sharing it with family and friends. The one rule was that you must write about your visit in the cottage journal.John enjoyed traveling, and he and Peggy took many trips with friends over the years. His last trip was to Ireland with his sons and grandsons to show them where his parents were born and to introduce them to family there. He cherished that trip with them.

In addition to his wife Peggy, John is lovingly survived by his children: Marybeth Dixon and her husband Bob, of Woburn, Jay Rice and his wife Johnna of West Chester, PA, Michael Rice and his wife Karen, David Rice and Mea Provencher, all of Woburn, and Joe and Colleen Lawrence of Macungie, PA. He was the cherished grandfather of Cory and Cameron Dixon, Jake, Andrew and Fiona Rice, Kellen and Megan Rice, Tasha and Jacob Provencher, and Mackenzie and Chloe Lawrence. He was the dear brother of the late Mari Crowe, Pat Newton, Ceil Kane and Kaye Franchi and brother-in-law of Danielle and Michael Gray, Mary Lou Connors, and Jimmy and the late Geraldine Dunleavy. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be held in the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Friday, February 27, from 4-7PM and again on Saturday, February 28, at 9AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Winchester Hospital Center for Cancer Care, 620 Washington St., Suite 2130, Winchester, MA 01890. www.winchesterhospital.org