John N. Spain obituary

#Middlebury #Obituary

A smile is a light in the window of your face that shows that your heart is at home.

John Nicholls Spain, 100, of Middlebury passed away in the comfort of his home on Saturday, January 8, 2022. He was the husband of 53 years to the late Mary Beth Wilson Spain. He was also the companion of 20 years to Becky Lynn.

John was born July 23, 1921 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of the late Harrison Millburn Spain Sr. and Hazel Waddington Spain, and stepson of the late Louise Cody Spain. He moved to Middlebury in 1972 from Wayne, New Jersey.

John was a proud veteran of the United States Army Air Corps. He was a B-24 pilot in the Flying Tigers, serving in the Burma, India, China theater, and also in the Pacific.

He started working for Uniroyal in 1946, advancing to director of sales training, until he retired in 1986. John also was president of the National Society of Sales Training Executives now known as the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training.

Retirement did not, however, slow John down! He was an Eagle Scout and an active scouter for over 60 years. Having such love for nature, John founded the Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society. He even went on to write and illustrate a book, “Growing Winter Hardy Cactus in Cold/Wet Climates.” He held several positions in the Berkshire North American Rock Garden Society, and was a member of several Rock and Mineral Societies. John will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John leaves behind three sons, John Nicholls Spain Jr. and his wife, Sally, of Michigan and Florida; William Wilson Spain of Colorado; and Harrison Millburn Spain III of California; his seven grandchildren, John N. Spain III and his wife, Nicole; Patrick W. Spain and his wife, Theresa; Alex Spain and his wife, Suzette; David Spain and his wife, Tami; Harry Spain IV and his wife, Erin; Claire Spain Marsden, and Jordan Hurand Spain; and his 15 great-grandchildren, Chloe, Cullen, T.J., Harrison, Hunter, Austin, Brendan, Patrick, Emily, Danika, Michaela, Harrison VI, Wyatt, Bobby, and Derek Jr.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Middlebury Congregational Church at 1242 Whittemore Road in Middlebury Connecticut with a reception to follow at the Church.

For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.