John C. Dyer, 87, longtime resident of Wayland, MA and South Dennis, MA peacefully passed away on August 7, 2021 at his cherished summer home on Swan Pond in South Dennis.

He was born in 1933 in Cambridge, MA, the son of the late Charles J. Dyer and Margaret M. (Cardoos) Dyer, growing up in Watertown, MA.

“Johnny” graduated from Watertown High School at the age of 16 and went on to study chemistry at Boston University (Class of 1954) where he was in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Following graduation from BU, he entered the Air Force as a newly minted 2nd Lieutenant in time to be considered a Korean War veteran. He served three years on active duty stationed at Ellington AFB in Houston, TX and Otis AFB in Falmouth, MA, and 8 years in the USAF Reserve as a Senior Navigator, accumulating over 3,000 flying hours and attaining the rank of Captain. Proudly serving during the Cold War he flew radar/sentry coastal flights in a Lockheed Super-Constellation RC121-D to monitor Soviet flights along the Atlantic coast and flew frequent routes to Greenland, Mexico, Bermuda and Europe. John received his Masters of Science in Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Sloan School of Management and enjoyed a 40-year career in the high tech, electronic and aerospace industries working for AVCO, Textron and MITRE in the fields of business development, strategic planning and management. Among many interesting and important aerospace and defense programs during his career, he worked on the interplanetary exploration design studies for the Voyager Mission in 1963 completed by Avco Research and Advanced Development Division for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

He enjoyed travel and time spent with his family and cousins, fine dining and cooking (especially Syrian food), walking in the great outdoors, photography, gardening, fishing on the Cape with his sons, letter writing, public service, and was an avid doubles tennis player. But above all, family came first.

Among many community volunteer and elected positions over the decades he served as Chairman of the Wayland Planning Board, Chair of the Wayland Veterans Memorial Committee, served on the Wayland Historical Commission, the Wayland 375th Anniversary Committee, and on the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston. As Chair of the Wayland Planning Board, John was able to have a then controversial By-Law adopted that enabled Multi-Unit Dwellings to exist in a previously zoned area for single dwellings and increased open space and conservation land by 35%. In 2019, the Massachusetts State Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives specially recognized John for his dedication, service and 50 years of invaluable contributions to civic life in the Town of Wayland.

He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia Dyer, his loving sons, Charles Dyer and his wife MaryBeth Dyer of Hamilton, MA, Andrew R. Dyer and his wife Stephanie Dyer of Newton, MA, his grandsons John, Graham, Evan, and Brandon, his granddaughter Jessica, and his sister Charlotte (Dyer) Tragakis and husband Col.(Ret.) Chris Tragakis of Springfield, VA, and his sister-in-law Sally Wright of Charlottesville, VA, and was predeceased by his late sister Mary M. Dyer of Watertown, MA, his late sister-in-law Peggy Crocker and her husband Hilary Crocker of Wayland, MA. He was the cherished uncle of nieces and nephews, Steven Crocker, Barbara Conner, Lisa Crocker, Jim Tragakis, and Chad Tragakis, and grand nieces and grand nephews, Maggie, Nick, CJ, Katrina, Billy, Michael, Chip and Katie.

The family would like to thank the medical teams of Frenesius Kidney Care of Yarmouth and Frenesius Kidney Care of Framingham, for their excellent care while he was their dialysis patient. The family would also like to thank the fantastic caregivers of Cherry’s Senior Care Services of Hyannis—Taneil, Stacey, Byron, Oneicka, Jennele, Raenia, Shanelle, and Natoya, for their dedication and compassionate assistance caring for John, enabling him to spend his last summer on the Cape.

Burial will be private at the Massachusetts National Cemetery and a celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to St. John of Damascus Church, https://www.stjohnd.org, 300 West Street, Dedham, MA 02026, The American Kidney Fund, https://www.kidneyfund.org, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, or either Boston University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology in his memory.

As the newest member of the family I remember John,Pat,Charlotte and Chris meeting us for the first time down the cape. He was one of the most welcoming people I have ever met. They all made us feel like we were always part of their lives. I feel fortunate to of seen him 4 months ago and he was as nice a man ask you could ask for. We will miss him dearly. Rest well John.

I wish to express my Deepest condolences to the entire Dyer Family at this very sad time John was a great friend of mine and a member of The Wayland Veterans Memorial Committee and also a member of Wayland public ceremonies committee he was a very hard worker and had a passion for the veterans in town he will Be sorely missed by everyone in the town who knew him. Richard P Turner USN Ret

Aww! I am thrilled to read John's obituary. I have known John for a short time and I am happy I was able to help John and his families in their time of needs. Both John and his families were amazing and I can only imagine the wonderful memories they all will have to hold on to for John...I must say he will be surely missed and my prayers and condolences goes out to the Families. Myself and and my Caregivers appreciate the time working with John. He is now in a safe place and sleeping in peace with no pain. Blessings and smiles to all.. Thanks Taneil.

Very sorry for your family's loss. It is also a loss for our Swan Pond family as well. John was certainly a very accompolished person and a dedicated citizen of Wayland. We hope your family finds solace in all your memories.

Dear Pat, Charles and Andrew, What a kind and caring gentleman he was! He will be sorely missed. May his memory be eternal! Love, Paul, Darya and Family

Uncle John Dyer was such a kind, intelligent and loving influence to all those he touched. He seemed to take everyone under his wing, sharing insights, information, and important perspectives on life and learning. It was clear he had a wealth of knowledge, sharing that with those around him. I feel very grateful to have been able to spend time with him at family gatherings. You will be greatly missed uncle John! Sending so much love to Aunt Pat, Charles and Andrew.

Cousin John always had a good story to tell. He will be missed. All our love and prayers to Pat and the entire family. Memory Eternal. ❤

Dear Pat and Family, So sorry to read of John's passing in this morning Boston Globe. I tried to find out where you moved to but was not successful. I know that John was spending a lot of time in kidney dialysis. I happy to read that you and he were at your summer place down the cape. John gave so much of himself to the Town of Wayland. I think he was especially proud of his time spent with the Veterans' Monument and the book that went with it. John got me interested in volunteering for Wayland's 375th Anniversary. I know that you'll miss his greatly but his suffering is over and he is in a better place. My sincere sympathy. Pauline Maxwell DiCesare

Cousin John, you will be dearly missed by all the Gamel families. I will especially miss the fond memories of you when Mom & Dad would visit our Dita in the South End. Great family times & outstanding Syrian food. Love you Bobby

I would like to extend my condolences to Patricia and the entire Dyer family on Johns passing. I always enjoyed our little chats when John would stop while driving by and comment on my landscaping. God bless John, a true gentleman.

To care is to share. That is how John navigated throughout his life. His consideration, kindness, generosity, good conversation and humor will be missed by many but the fond memories he has left us will comfort, strengthen and bring us peace. God Bless, John, his faithful servant and comfort his many friends and extended family.

Very well deserved and very well written memorial to John. He had touched many lives during his lifetime. We were all blessed to have known and loved him. God rest his soul. His memory will be eternal.