John E. Larson

1924 - 2016

John Edward Larson, of Deep River, CT, aged 91, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 8, 2016. He was born on December 10, 1924 in Springfield, MA, the son of Hilda and Edward Larson. He was preceded in death by his dear wife of 53 years, Henrietta Driver Larson, and his older siblings, Edna Schiffer, Robert Larson, and Mabel Nilson. John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he spent the majority of his enlistment as a quartermaster on a tanker in the Pacific. He often commented on his good fortune to have been able to attend both Amherst College and Harvard Law School on the G.I. Bill, and believed that he was more than compensated for his service by receiving the education that he did. He met his future wife, Henrietta Driver, at an Amherst College mixer with Smith College. They married in 1952. He began his law career with Atty. L. Horatio Biglow in Deep River in 1952 and enjoyed working as a lawyer into his 80s. He was deeply appreciative of the years of assistance he received from his staff throughout his career. He took great pride in helping others. He served as a state representative; probate judge; county public defender; town counsel for Deep River, Chester, and Westbrook; president of the Deep River Rotary Club; and chairman and board member of various charities and of the Deep River Congregational Church. He was a co-founder of the Essex Winter Series and of the Old Saybrook Racquet Club, and he did work for the Valley Shore YMCA. John leaves three children: Linnea Howe and husband Jeffrey of White Bear Lake, MN, Robert Larson of Deep River and partner Christine Labas of Marlborough, CT, Heidi Larson and husband Craig Bystrynski of Natick MA; six grandchildren: Ben, Ian, Nick, Bill, Ryan and Carolyn; and five great-grandchildren: Rosamond, Ben Jr., Annabelle, Emily, and Henry. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of your choice.