John Palinkas, 60 of Hopkinton, MA died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 24th at UMASS Medical Center in Worcester, MA. He was a 1966 graduate of Ashland High School and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind his wife, Barbara (Moore) Palinkas of Hopkinton whom he was married to for 41 years. The son of Mary (Palinkas) Grenga of Ashland and the late John Palinkas, he is survived by his mother-in-law Olivia Moore of Ashland, his three children, John S. Palinkas and his wife Shannon of Upton, Joseph Palinkas of Hopkinton, and Elizabeth Thieme and her husband Derek of Rowley. He also leaves six grandchildren, Koady, Megan, John, Michael, Leah, and Cole. As well as his two sisters, Aranka Ciccarelli of Hopkinton and Maggie Dicken of Ashland, and a brother Stephen Palinkas of Uxbridge and many nieces and nephews. He was a dedicated postal employee for over forty years. An avid golfer, he enjoyed being with his friends, vacationing in Maine, traveling, and playing with his grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 28th at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland. Calling hours will be held Friday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations be made to the Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mount Wayte Ave # 2, Framingham, MA 01702 of which John and his family are participants.