John C. Batten, Sr.

My memory is of John's father, the brother of my grandmother, Tena Batten Holloway. My great uncle John often drove his cadillac up to 33 Reading Hill Avenue in Melrose to visit my grandmother, his sister, where I also grew up and I was always excited to see his car in the late 1950's to the 1960's. In the 1970's my husband and I had weekend season tickets to the Celtics and often stopped by my great Uncle John's office

My memory is of John's father, the brother of my grandmother, Tena Batten Holloway. My great uncle John often drove his cadillac up to 33 Reading Hill Avenue in Melrose to visit my grandmother, his sister, where I also grew up and I was always excited to see his car in the late 1950's to the 1960's. In the 1970's my husband and I had weekend season tickets to the Celtics and often stopped by my great Uncle John's office at the old Boston Garden to say hello. My sister died of cancer in 1955 at the age of 7 and the Jimmy Fund has always held a special place in my famnily's heart, so I will be honored to make a contribution in John C. Batten's name. In 1987 I was privileged to travel to Newfoundland with my mother and grandmother and visited the Batten homesite and my grandmother's brother, Uncle Clifton, whom I am sure John C. Batten got his middle name from. My grandmother named her son John Clifton Holloway. I fondly remember my great Uncle John Batten and great Aunt Hazel from Cambridge. I only met their children and grandchildren at their wakes. My grandmother, my mother and her brother, John Clifton Holloway are gone now, so I have no family to reference except my twin brother, Nels Nelson, who saw this obituary and tried to make the connection. He too traveled to Newfoundland with our grandmother, Tena Batten Holloway, and met Uncle Clifton Batten. I hope some of John Batten Sr.'s family members will know their family members with whom I am familiar. It is difficult when the older generation is gone to continue to make the connections with those we never really met but know we are related to. Your loss has brought back many memories of your (our) family to me.

Bless you, darling. Every time I close my eyes I see your laughing face ... so I know you made it! Kiss Nana and Fazie for us. Until it's our turn to travel, too ... I love you ... Susie

My sincere sympathies to you all. Lois

As a boy, I wished it could be Christmas every day
Those times I can so readilly recall
With family assembled, celebration underway
That was the time my Dad loved most of all.

Early on, we're told that Santa dresses all in red
And visits every home in just one night
But my father Christmas used a hassock for his sled
And gave us presents in an undershirt of white.

An after dinner game of catch, a story about Ted
Watching sports and sitcoms on TV
His records playing dowstairs

As a boy, I wished it could be Christmas every day
Those times I can so readilly recall
With family assembled, celebration underway
That was the time my Dad loved most of all.

Early on, we're told that Santa dresses all in red
And visits every home in just one night
But my father Christmas used a hassock for his sled
And gave us presents in an undershirt of white.

An after dinner game of catch, a story about Ted
Watching sports and sitcoms on TV
His records playing dowstairs as we fell asleep in bed
Securely placed within my memory.

But Dad was at his happiest when Christmas bells were ringing
And it is for this reason that I pray
That all the trees are being trimmed and carolers are singing
And where he is now, it's Christmas every day.

I would like to extend my condolences to the Batten Family,,Many memories of Mr.Batten from my Crescent Ave days and will always remember his BAT-10 plate,,John Colombo

I'd like to extend my deepest condolences to the Batten family and was sorry to hear of the passing of John Sr. I know it's a cliche to say he's gone to a better place, but cliche or not, those of us with faith know this is simply the truth. As John Sr suffered in his last years, it's important to remember - he suffers no more and now only experiences total joy. Please know I'm thinking of all of you and I'm truly sorry for your loss.
Paul Accettullo

My sincerest condolences to the entire Batten Family and relatives. I know John suffered for a number of years prior to his passing but he is finally at peace. My prayers are with you as you deal with John's loss.

Sincerely,
Paul Mazzotta