John Worden is a graduate of Harvard Law School (LL.B. 1963) and St. Bonaventure University (A.B., summa cum laude, 1960). He was a journalist while working his way through college and law school. After graduating from Harvard Law School he was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and the bar of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and is Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated. He has done pro-bono work in addition to private practice since graduating from law School. He is a member of the Affordable Housing Committee of the Real Estate Bar Association. In his law practice, Simonds, Winslow, Willis & Abbott in Boston, John Worden has been involved in probate, wills and trusts, and trust administration for many years and has helped numerous bereaved families. He is counsel for the Animal Rescue League of Boston, a major humane organization in Massachusetts. Mr. Worden also practices real estate law, representing both buyers and sellers, residential and commercial. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, and the Abstract Club, an organization of real estate lawyers established in 1883, and limited to 100 members.
John Worden is active in his home town of Arlington. He has worked to preserve Arlington’s quality of life, open space, parks, and historic heritage. His work with other preservationists has led to the establishment of seven historic districts six of which are near Arlington Center and can be enjoyed by all. He has served in many offices for several decades, including Moderator (1989-2007), Historic District Commissions, Arlington Preservation Fund (including service as president), past president Arlington Conservation Association, Arlington Historical Society (past president, treasurer, director, trustee), Arlington Vision 2020 Steering Committee, Town Meeting Member, former Arlington Civil Rights Committee and Mystic River Watershed Association, and many others. He is also a director of the Animal Rescue League, and a member of its Executive Committee. As Moderator he has made numerous appointments including Finance Committee members and the School Committee Member for the Minuteman Regional Vocational School and has also helped establish working committees in many fields, all working to maintain Arlington as a good place to live
He is married to Dr. Patricia B. Worden, a former resident of Donegal, Ireland, and of Glasgow, Scotland. She graduated from the Holy Cross School, the University of Glasgow, and Harvard University. She served on the Arlington School Committee and on the Arlington Housing Authority including service as chairman of both. She was a charter member of the Human Rights Committee and of the Affordable Housing Task Force on which she currently serves and is a Town Meeting Member. Patricia and John have five children (all of whom graduated from Arlington public schools and local colleges) and seven grandchildren. Among their children and children-in-law are physicians including their eldest son (a former Navy officer) and his wife who are family physicians operating Mercy Family Practice in Gardner. Another son and his wife are engineers engaged in environmental engineering and are co-founders of Solectria Renewables LLC, a renewable energy systems provider in Lawrence. This group also includes a child-care provider; business entrepreneur, and, last but not least, a distinguished oceanographer.
