Joon Shik In

Mr. Joon Shik In, of Saugus, formerly of Needham, Weston, Sharon, Newton, and Seoul, South Korea, died Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. He was 89.

Joon Shik was born in Pyung Taek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea on January 28, 1936, a son of the late Young-Sun In and Monang-Chi (Chi). He left home to attend Yung Jung High School in Seoul and later graduated from Seoul National University. He played rugby in high school and college, and after graduating returned to teach at his former high school, coaching basketball and rugby there. He also coached a team that traveled and competed internationally.

He married Yi Soon (Lee) In on October 24, 1964, and they settled in Seoul, raising their two sons. In 1976 the family moved to the Boston area, where Joon Shik started a jewelry business with his wife at his side. They built it through hard work and sharp instinct until selling it successfully in 1990. He was also the founding member and served as the first president of the Korean Small Business Association. Personable and driven, he wanted things done his way, which meant following his gut when it came to business, and he was proven right more often than not.

Joon Shik faced serious health challenges over his last 26 years. Liver cancer in 1999, an experimental transplant in 2003, and a kidney transplant later, but his stubbornness, which led to his success in business, extended also to his will to live, and it carried him through.

Sports stayed with him his whole life. He played rugby in school and college, coached it as a teacher, and later followed the Korean Baseball League closely, catching games whenever Korean teams came to Boston.

Above all a family man, Joon Shik loved his grandchildren deeply and found his greatest joy in time with them.

He leaves his wife, Yi Soon (Lee) In; his sons, Kevin In (Jina) and Steven In (Kyung Sun); his grandchildren, Daniel, Brandon, Audrey, Andrea, and Margaret; and his sisters, Jung Wei In and Jung Sook In. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joon Shik’s life by gathering at New Light Korean Church, 730 Main Street, Waltham, on Monday, December 29th, where his Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.