John Francis DeCaire

John (Jay) Francis DeCaire, Jr. age 68 of Maryville passed away Monday, September 9, 2019 at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was born in Worcester, MA to the late John Sr. and Helen DeCaire. He grew up in Grafton, MA where he played football at Grafton High and served as an altar boy with his older brother, Kevin, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He played on a traveling hockey team and coached his boys’ hockey team. John was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the United States Navy as an Electrical Engineer. After living in Florida for many years he and son Jamie brought to fruition Marie’s passions for Veterinary Medicine by establishing her veterinary practice. Later he settled in Tennessee with his beloved wife, Marie in 2010. He loved the outdoors and farming but most of all he was known to everyone to have the most gentle, kind, loving and generous heart. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to his family. He was grateful for the spiritual comfort of his favorite Archbishop Humphreys, Bishop Euler and Father Meikle. Survived by his wife and best friend of 19 years, Marie; sons, Jeff DeCaire and Lindsey, Jamie and wife, Kelly DeCaire; daughters, Michelle Decaire and fiancé, Dave, Kelci and Jessica DeCaire; his dog-son, Packer; grandchildren, Tyler and Shelbi Fields, Mason, Colin, and Lucy DeCaire, Sydney DeCaire, Jaden, Bryson and Dante; brothers and sisters, Kevin and Susan DeCaire, Gerald and Dorraine DeCaire, Janice Boule, Patricia and Joseph Antonellis; many nieces, nephews, and other family also survive. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to charities that would benefit veterans, children and animal companions. Family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 PM Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Smith East Hall. Family and friends will assemble for interment 1:00 Pm Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Grandview Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Francis DeCaire please visit our Sympathy Store.