John A. Spaeth, 70, of Stafford Springs, Conn., passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in 1954 in West Allis, Wis., to Dorothy and Gilbert Spaeth, John attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a degree in electrical engineering. His journey led him to Vermont, where he made Essex Junction his home for more than three decades. During this time, he dedicated nearly 20 years as a controls engineer at Wyeth Nutritionals before spending a decade at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which included earning a degree from “Coffee College.”
John is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Dona. His legacy lives on through his beloved children, Theresa (John) Urbanowicz, Caitlin (Caden Triplett) Spaeth and Jonathan (Nicole) Spaeth. He also leaves behind cherished grandchildren Jett, Quinn and Harper, who will always treasure their memories of Grandpa’s music, adventures and shared snacks. John’s extended family includes his in-laws, Robert and Cheryl McCloskey, and their children, Patrick and Melissa.
Throughout his life, John built and maintained lifelong friendships. He loved swapping news articles, photos and life updates with close friends, ensuring those bonds remained strong.
John found immense joy in spending time with his family, particularly on camping trips that spanned the country, from Maine to Texas, Florida to Montana. These adventures often included visits to national parks, a testament to his love of nature and exploration. His sense of humor, generosity, and knack for offering advice — whether solicited or not — will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
At this time, no formal services are planned, but the family will continue to celebrate John’s life privately. In honor of his memory, donations can be made to the National Park Foundation (http://give.nationalparks.org/goto/John_Spaeth) to help preserve the places he loved so dearly.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2025.