John F. Spain ESQ

John Frederick Spain of Bethel, beloved husband, father, and brother, died surrounded by his family on June 22, after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. He is survived by Mary Mannion Spain, his wife of forty-six years, and a brother, Peter L. Spain and his wife, Marybeth, of Vienna, Virginia, as well as three children, Catherine M. Spain and her spouse, Rashi Soni, of West Hartford, Elizabeth S. Joseph and her husband, David, of Bethel, and Peter D. Spain and his wife, Kate, of Fairfield, two grandchildren, Rebecca and Katherine Joseph, and beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Born June 24, 1939, to Elizabeth Bohmwetch Spain and Darius J. L. Spain of Danbury, John was a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School, The College of the Holy Cross and the New York University School of Law. He worked as a public defender and prosecutor in Danbury, and then in private law practice in Bethel since 1965.

John served on the Board of the American Red Cross, Bethel chapter, on the Vocational Education Committee, Bethel, and as a volunteer at the Dorothy Day House in Danbury. A lifelong blood donor, he also contributed his time to coaching Babe Ruth baseball and girls’ softball and boys’ basketball with Bethel Parks & Recreation. John also sang for many years with the Bethel Historical Society chorus.

Golfer, sports fan, and insatiable reader, John entered the hearts of those who loved him by way of his honesty, loyalty, and fascination with history, humor, and ideas. Fond of a job well done, he was known for his fastidiously accurate legal documents, his long, arching golf drives, and his beautifully manicured lawn.

John was predeceased by his brothers Thomas R. Spain and Darius J. Spain of Danbury.

Donations may be made to the Arthur J. Mannion Scholarship Fund, c/o Knights of Columbus, Pavia Council 48, P.O. Box 286, Bethel, CT, 06801 or the Bethel Public Library Building Fund, 137 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT, 06801. Calling hours are from four to eight on Friday at Green Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday at St. Patrick Church, Redding Ridge.