Search by Name

Search by Name

John K. Spring

1919 - 2016

FUNERAL HOME

Concord Funeral Home

Director - Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP

Concord, Massachusetts

John Spring Obituary

John K. Spring of Concord and Nantucket, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home in Concord on May 12, 2016, shortly after his 97th birthday. Born in Des Moines, Iowa to Alvin J. Spring and Pearl K. Spring, his family moved to Clayton, MO. He attended St Louis Country Day School where he captained his Baseball team. His fondest memories were spending summers in Hollywood, California with his grandparents. John attended Yale University (Class of 1941), where he was Editor of the Yale Daily News and Chairman of the Yale Year Book. Following Yale, John joined the Navy in 1942 while attending Harvard Business School. John met his wife Helen (Claflin) Spring in Belmont, MA in 1942, which lead to an incredibly loving marriage lasting 70 years. He served in the U.S. Navy as a first lieutenant during World War II aboard the carrier USS Shangri-La; which saw action in the Pacific theatre. After leaving the Navy, John had an illustrious business and philanthropic career. He was most proud of his family, enjoyed taking family trips to ski areas, and took special interest in each family member. He had been the senior Partner and President of Welch & Forbes, (1960-1999), an investment management firm in Boston. He was a Director of State Street Bank (1970-1988), New England Mutual Life Insurance (1974-1990), Compugraphic Corporation (1975-1988), Millipore Corporation (1961-1990), and Reed and Barton Corporation (1988-2000), Kenics Corp and Metitape. He was Treasurer (1968-1978) and Trustee (1960-1978) of Wellesley College. He was President of Emerson Hospital (1966-1970), President of Nashoba Brooks School of Concord (mid-1960s), and President of the Chapter of the American Red Cross (1950-1952), Concord, MA. He was an active Director of Crossroads For Kids, the Concord Art Association, the Concord Carlisle Community Chest, and the Home for the Aged in Concord, MA. He is a former Trustee of Mount Auburn Cemetery (15 years) and the Children's Museum (1950s), former Overseer Emeritus of Mass General Hospital and Corporation member of Partner's Healthcare, Inc. He currently was active on the MetLife's Director's Advisory Board and an Overseer Emeritus of the Boston Museum of Science and Children's Hospital of Boston. He was a General Partner of Ampersand Venture Capital Funds One through Four and the Claflin Capital Venture Funds One through Seven. He was a Life Member of the Concord Country Club and a member of Sankaty Head Golf Club of Nantucket and the Nantucket Yacht Club. He leaves his beloved wife of 70 years Helen (Claflin) Spring, and 4 children: Nita Montero; John Spring Jr. and his wife Debby; Bill Spring and his wife Barbara; and Suzi Spring. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. To all those who are connected with me by blood, or marriage, or who know me well, please each day do something for someone else. This will enrich your lives with love and faith and hope and joy. | John K. Spring Family and friends will gather for Johns memorial service on Thursday, May 26 at 2:00 pm in the Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm St., Concord, MA. Interment with U.S. Navy Military Honors in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord was private. Concords town flag will fly at half-staff on Thursday, May 26 in honor of Mr. Springs service to his country in the United States Navy during WWII. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in memory of John to Crossroads, Attn: Alex, 119 Myrtle St., Duxbury, MA 02332 or the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Capital Campaign, 57 Prospect St., Nantucket, MA 02554 Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, A Life Celebration Home, Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www. concordfuneral.com

Published by The Concord Journal from May 17 to May 26, 2016.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for John Spring

Sponsored by Concord Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





Dear Mrs. Spring, John & Deb and other Springs:
What a BRILLIANT resume of Mr. Spring's, WOW!
I am sorry that I missed Mr. Springs service but I did not get the Journal until the 27th which announced the passing of this great man. I remember frequent encounters at the New England Sea Grill when I would see Mr. Spring adjusting his bowtie and you Mrs. Spring, after introducing myself to you(in case you didn't remember me when I grew up with John Jr.) you would respond by saying "You don't have to introduce yourself, I know who you are"! I have so many fond memories of your husband and Dad and he will be missed. I like to think that he is just away.
May God bless him and each and every one of you!
Warmest,
Bruce Barker

Bruce Barker

Friend

May 31, 2016

Our thanks for a wonderful man and his family and for their contributions to Concord and so many institutions. Your former Trinity Church neighbors, The Clarks.

David Clark

May 30, 2016

Dear Nita, John, Suzi and Bill - Your dad was such a great and dear man; I feel honored to have known him. I will miss our annual catch-up chats on the porch at Sanddrift. And Haych, I am so sorry for your loss. We send much love and sympathy to all. Kim and Rob Frisbie

May 26, 2016

What a wonderful man, who will be truly missed by all. His family should be so proud of him & we can only wish that we knew him more! With our condolences & love for your family, Thom & Susan Coyne

Thom & Susan Coyne

Friend

May 24, 2016

To the Spring Family,
A wonderful , thoughtful man. I enjoyed my conversations with him when he was an avid supporter of the Community Chest. His generation of intellect, caring and community will be so missed. Astrid Williams

Astrid Williams

Acquaintance

May 22, 2016

Haych, I have not seen you for years, since Joanie and I worked at Emerson Hospital. I am saddened by the passing of John. I remember having a couple of great chats with him. You had so many good years. I am sending you and your family condelences and love.

Diane Nixon

Friend

May 19, 2016

Susie, we mourn with you over the loss of your wonderful father! We send our prayers to you, your mother and family.
Susan and Thom coyne

Susan and Thom Coyne

May 18, 2016

Susie,you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We always loved seeing him here on the isle. What a truly delightful man in every way.

Ned and Randy Wight

Friend

May 18, 2016

My deepest condolences to Haych and all of John's relatives. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great guy! I enjoyed the time I spent with him over the years. He truly was a gentleman, except for the times many years ago that he so thoroughly enjoyed whipping my butt on the Nantucket tennis court!

Jim Allen

May 17, 2016

My condolences to all the family of this remarkable man, one of my most admired friends in the Boston investment community where we shared lunches and conversations for over 40 years as he was a stalwart of W&F and I was at First Boston, Adams Harkness and others. Gracious, friendly, down to earth, and a superb investor. Of the hundreds I've known he was one of top 3 or 4 I had the pleasure to associate with. Rest easy John, you've blazed a trail for others to emulate, and your smile will always be remembered. Sincerely, Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson

May 17, 2016

Our deepest sympathies are extended to Haych and the entire Spring Family... The world has lost a true "gentle man."

Marc and Kathy Bliss

May 17, 2016

One of the all-time great Fenn School Dads !!!! What a terrific life - our love and thoughts are with H. and all the family. Blessings on John's buoyant spirit.

Mark and Jane Biscoe

Friend

May 16, 2016

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Make a Donation
in John Spring's name

Memorial Events
for John Spring

May

26

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church

81 Elm St., Concord, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Concord Funeral Home

Director - Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP 74 Belknap St., Concord, MA 01742

How to support John's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor John Spring's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored