John D. MacVarish III of Milton died peacefully February 2, at home, at age 91, after a brief illness. Beloved husband of the late Helen T. (McDonough) MacVarish, he was the loving father of Kathleen and her husband Marshall Ottina of Milton, John D. IV and his wife Elizabeth of Hingham, Anne MacVarish of Milton, Jayne MacVarish and her husband Brent Goddard of Dudley, Francis and his wife Therese of Marshfield, Thomas and his wife Paula of Marshfield, James and his wife Kathleen of Braintree and Helen and her husband Brian McCune of East Bridgewater. He was also the father of the late Mary, wife of Dick Dyer of Milton. John is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was the devoted brother of Elizabeth Casey of Milton and the late Frances Wright of Braintree. John was the son of John II and Elizabeth (Heffernan) MacVarish. Born in Brookline, John settled in Milton and was a graduate of Milton High School, Class of 1941, and Bentley University; he also attended Northeastern University. John enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II, rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Occupation of Japan. Returning home after the war, John resumed his insurance career at Marsh & McLennan and later at Fairfield & Ellis, where he retired as Chief Operating Officer in 1986. John was a charter member of the Milton Merchants Athletic Association, a Little League coach for many years, president of Milton Kiwanis, a member of Wollaston Golf Club, and a town meeting member for over 50 years. John was also a Knight of Malta. A funeral Mass will be said at St. Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton, Friday, February 6, at 10 a.m. A wake will be held at St. Agatha Church Thursday, February 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. Arrangements being directed by Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, Milton. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Home Base Program, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, www.homebaseprogram.org.  Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home Milton, 617-696-4200