Chelsea veteran moves to Arizona: Jack Bouchie dies at 94
The 94-year-old Army veteran, who spent decades in Massachusetts before relocating to Hawaii and the Southwest, will be buried beside his late wife in Everett this spring.
By Samuel Hayes ·
John “Jack” H. Bouchie died on November 5, 2026, in Arizona. He was 94 years old. The death of the former Chelsea resident marks the end of a life that spanned more than eight decades in Massachusetts before concluding in the American Southwest. Bouchie lived in Chelsea for over 80 years, a tenure that included stints at the City Yard, Jordan Marsh, and Forbes Lithograph Company.
Born on February 13, 1932, in Chelsea, Bouchie was the only child of Louis Bouchie and Belle Chessman. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married Dorothy “Dottie” Lenehan, and the couple remained together for more than 40 years. Dottie passed away before Jack, and he will be interred next to her.
In 2015, Bouchie left Chelsea to live with his son, John “Buzz” Bouchie, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He quickly integrated into the local social scene, becoming a regular at Duke’s on Waikiki Beach. During his time on the islands, he attended performances by musicians including Chick Corea, Dionne Warwick, and Burt Bacharach. He also met members of The Beach Boys and The Village People, and formed a friendship with Taylor Wily from the television show Hawaii Five-0. He visited Maui, Kauai, Lanai, and the Big Island.
Bouchie relocated to Arizona in January 2024. He moved there with his son, daughter-in-law Raquel, and granddaughter Angela. While his final years were quieter than his earlier decades, he continued to attend sporting events. A lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics, he attended one final game in person while in Arizona. He also watched a Boston Red Sox game during his time in the state.
Before his move to Hawaii, Bouchie was a well-known figure in Chelsea. He was often seen with a cigar and frequented the Irish Club, McDonald’s in Prattville, and Daisy Buchanan’s on Newbury Street in Boston. He grew up in the Central Avenue Projects and later lived on Admiral’s Hill. He was part of the audience in the cheap seats at the old Boston Garden during the 1950s and 1960s.
Bouchie is survived by his son, John Bouchie; his daughter-in-law, Raquel Bouchie; and his granddaughter, Angela Bouchie. He is also survived by his cousins Michele Valle, Denise Boucher, and Richie Bouchie. Raquel’s mother, Carmen Medina, and sister, Brenda Lopez, are also listed among his extended family.
A memorial service is scheduled for the spring of 2027. The burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts. Bouchie will be laid to rest beside his wife, Dottie.
