John Thomas Bartlett, 94 years old of West Roxbury, formerly of Milton, and Devon, England passed away on October 19th, 2026 enfolded in the love of his family. Growing up in rural England during WWII John shared vivid details of what life was like during that time. After completing his 2 years of National Military Service, traveling around the world and then working towards and receiving his Horticulture Degree from Dartington Hall, John made the courageous decision to cross the Atlantic by ship in 1955 to work on Bartol Old Farm in Milton, MA.

The Bartol’s welcomed him into their family and he assumed many roles on the farm in addition to tending the gardens, greenhouses and property. The friendships he made there were everlasting and provided him the opportunity to travel cross country twice, cultivate his love of music and the arts, pursue continuing education to appease his curious nature, and participate in racing vehicles across several different race tracks. He loved all sports but tennis became his favorite playing competitively as well as weekly with a tight-knit group of forever friends. He met his wife and true love Dorothy on a return visit to England at his brother Bram’s wedding. Dorothy and John raised three daughters on BOF and later moved down the street to the Eustis Estate, where the family lived in The Gatehouse and John’s true mastery and skill of gardening was evident for all to see. John was presented with a Civic Beautification Award from the Milton Garden Club in 2001, and his gardens were a constant and seasonal source of joy. Devoted husband of 45 years to his wife Dorothy, where together they navigated the challenges and trials of her early Parkinson's diagnosis until her passing in 2020.

John loved to take walks, birdwatch, read books and The Boston Globe, be outside, talk with neighbors and friends, quote Shakespeare and Churchill and attempted to impart his wide knowledge of trees and plants including their Latin names. His hilarious battle with the squirrels who ate the suet he put out for his favorite bird, the downy woodpecker, culminated with his accidental capture of a skunk. John leaves behind his siblings and many nieces and nephews in England, his three daughters Susanne Bartlett and her husband Kenny Jervis, Elizabeth and Alex Ostroff, and Jennie and Scott Lapollo as well as 7 beloved grandchildren: Sophia, Nigel, Thomas, Crispin, Oliver, Harry and Ellie.

His quirkiness, eccentricity and love of laughter will live on in the endless stories he shared of his fantastic life. We would like to sincerely thank all the staff at The German Centre for the care they provided over the last 2 years with a special shoutout to his nurses Diana and Yanick and the musical therapist Lauren who went above and beyond making connections with John through music as well as providing him flowers from the surrounding grounds.