John “Johnny” A. Bramblett was born in Atlanta, Ga., to Norma and Joe Bramblett on December 23, 1946 and died on September 13, 2025, in Helena, Mont., at age 78.
Between those dates John collected many accomplishments: serving as class president and repeatedly earning the superlative of “Best All-Around” in high school; trying out as a walk-on and making the U.S. Naval Academy’s 150-pound football team as kicker (having never played on a formal football team before); earning a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University; and becoming a published author. But these were not the most important things to him or most interesting things about him.
John and Mairi met during college, were engaged within a month, married within a year and were together for 57 years. Their shared sense of humor, values and loving bond were their North Star as they navigated raising three kids (John Jr., Brian, and Meghan) and losing two (Matthew and Christopher), serious health challenges for both, and many eras and adventures.
After several moves along the East Coast, John and Mairi made Vermont their home for more than 50 years. John loved his Waterbury community, especially treasuring the tightly-knit group of neighborhood families on Perry Hill.
John was a member of the Waterbury Rotary Club and a volunteer with many causes and organizations, including Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Ronald McDonald House, Fletcher Allen Hospital and the Waterbury Public Library. A natural mentor and servant, he shared his time and his wide range of skills and knowledge generously.
Engaging with the world from a place of curiosity and a drive for connection, John openly shared his fascination with the universe, from the biggest existential questions to the tiniest natural wonders encountered on a walk in the woods. His interests and pastimes were too many to list but included hiking, skiing, gold panning, meteorology, geology, metaphysics, history and DIY projects.
An engineer by education and tinkerer by natural inclination, he taught himself to disassemble and reassemble Saabs from roof to tires and kept his family on the road through the late ’80s and ’90s by cobbling together (mostly) running vehicles from a rotating cast of parts cars. He spent many frigid Vermont winter evenings suited up in his signature duct-taped blue puffy jacket and headlamp, supine, rolling around beneath the undercarriage of a rusted-out Saab on his homemade mechanic’s dolly.
Whether expressing delight, commending your values, surprising you with your favorite candy whenever he saw it at a store, celebrating your accomplishments, offering the best parts of the special-occasion lobster or engaging in a heart-to-heart, he left no room for doubt that you were loved.
When life dealt John tragedy, he opened his heart rather than closing it. After his prematurely born infant son Matthew died, and a decade later his toddler son Christopher died in an accident weeks after John’s own cancer diagnosis, he only became more compassionate and demonstrative.
He authored a book, When Goodbye Is Forever: Learning to Live Again After the Loss of a Child, published by Random House, in which he shared the journey of grief he and his family experienced to help other families who’d lost children. Over the years he received many calls and correspondences from grieving parents sharing their own experiences and gratitude to him for helping them feel seen and supported.
Faced with a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017, John stayed positive, active and engaged however he could. As his body slowed, he found great enjoyment at home observing bird activity at the feeders and befriending a chipmunk he affectionately named the Little Guy, who would eat from his hand and climb into his shirt pocket.
John was grateful for his life and at peace with approaching the end of it. He remained awed by the mysteries, even as late-stage Parkinson’s brought significant challenges. Though he has moved on from his familiar physical form, he leaves a palpable legacy of love. His playfulness, presence, openness and generosity with his loved ones and his unending wonder for the world are still and will always be felt every day.
Among his things, John’s family found a copy of a letter he wrote to a man who allowed him to metal detect on his property. John wrote in closing: “Please know I really enjoyed talking with you. I like people and think part of why we’re here is to pass a little time together when the opportunity comes. I hope to see you again sometime.” John — we can’t thank you enough for passing your time with us.
John was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Norma; children Matthew and Christopher; and in-laws “Doc” and Mary Alice Timmins. He is survived by his wife, Mairi; children John Jr., Brian and Meghan; daughter-in-law, Amy; grandchildren, Aidan, Connor, Crosby and Arlis; cousin and honorary sister, Mary Ann; and many beloved extended family and dear friends.
A gathering to celebrate John’s life will be held in Waterbury, Vt., in spring or summer 2026, specific location and date to be determined.
This article appears in The Tech Issue 2025.
How beautifully said! He was a wonderful man, a fabulous friend and my loving “brother.” I can’t even imagine the joy that is his in his new forever home.
Our deepest sympathies to the family. A wonderful man we worked with for many decades. May he rest in peace.
A smiling easy going soul. I just thought of John out of the blue several weeks back. Wherever he is now, I can see him panning for gold!
John was a wonderful person who touched so many lives with his friendly, open personality and his love of and enthusiasm for life. I went to school with John in Atlanta and later worked for the same employer in Vermont. RIP my old friend.
I remember Johnny’s mischievous smile and personality during our high school years at First Baptist Church, Chamblee GA. What a wonderful tribute!
While we never had the opportunity to cross paths, I worked closely with Meghan for years. Between the stories and getting to know Meghan I can see these amazing traits that John passed on to his daughter. I am sure his compassion and kindness impacted everyone around him and I know it has ripple effects even to those that did not have the pleasure of meeting him.
May you all be granted strength, compassion and community to support you though these difficult times. May the memories of him live vibrantly on and may his message continue to live on in each one of you.
John’s book, When Goodbye is Forever was a literal lifesaver for me after the loss if one of my premature twins. John was able to articulate so beautifully and describe so perfectly the ride along the edge of that razorblade of child death. I wish he and is family peace.
John interviewed me for my first INS job. I worked with him at the INS regional office and always thought of him as a friend. Few people could live up to his accomplishments.
How beautifully you have captured the compassion, charm, and exuberance of our dear friend, John. We are so grateful for the sixty-plus years of friendship we shared and shall miss him deeply.