John Dillon McNaughton

FUNERAL HOME

John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Inc.

219 West Center Street

Manchester, Connecticut

John McNaughton Obituary

John Dillon McNaughton, 85, of East Hartford, passed away Monday, December 3, 2007, at Hartford Hospital.

John was born June 12, 1922, in Easton, Maine, son of the late Mildred Johnston and Clarence McNaughton. He was the loving grandson of Marada and George McNaughton. John was a World War II veteran, served in Presque Isle, Maine, as a police officer, and had his own taxicab business. He later retired from Pratt & Whitney as a security guard in 1983. He was very proud to have received his 50-year pin from the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

Besides his loving wife of 47 years, Violet, he is survived by his daughter, Darlene Snow and son-in-law, David Snow, of Hebron; his grandchildren, Chris, Linda, and fiancé, David Bedini; and two dear friends, Rita and Danny.

We wish to thank all the people from Hartford Hospital and the VNA of Vernon for their kindness and support.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester, followed by burial in Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 10 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

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

Published by Journal Inquirer from Dec. 5 to Dec. 9, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John McNaughton

11 Entries

Darlene "Tyler" Santerre

December 8, 2007

Dear Vi, Darlene & Family

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Your family have has given me the greatest memories a child could ever have. The lake with all the gagets that were there. We always had a exceptional good time in your family's company. My Mom, Carlene had the best family for best friends and I will remember it always.
Darlene "Tyler" Santerre & Sons

Linda Rotolo

December 7, 2007

I grew up across the street from Mac. He always was kind to my family and everyone else in the neighborhood. Mac was always quick with a smile, joke, or story. He loved his sporty red cars, always clean and shiny in his driveway. And I'll always remember that Sandy Clause and Mrs. Sandy Claus on a bicycle! Mac was a wonderful person, and he will truly will be missed.

Joan Cannell

December 6, 2007

Aunt Vi and Darleen words can not tell you how we all feel. An I think you know. He was a special Uncle to Me. Love too you Both. Glen & Joan

Kathleen "Buffy" Wengefeld

December 6, 2007

Was very saddend to hear of Uncle Mac's death. He was a wonderful funny man who always was good for a story and a laugh. I will never forget going down to CT for Darlene's wedding and having Uncle Mac show Richard and I all his collectibles and letting us touch them and even play with a few. All the cousins were fighting over who got to stay with Aunt Vi & Uncle Mac and Richard and I, along with Gram Mains were the lucky ones. Even though I only got to see him when he and Aunt Vi made the trip to Gram Mains it was always a wonderful time and having him laugh and that gold tooth shining brightly is a memory I will never forget. Uncle Mac was a wonderful person who will forever be missed and loved dearly. Much love to Aunt Vi, Darlene, Dave and the kids.

Bonnie and Jim Canfield

December 6, 2007

Dear Aunt Vi and family,
Jim and we so sad to hear that Uncle Mac had passed away. We remember the great time we all had at the family reunion at the Edes FAlls Community Center. Jim and Uncle Mac got along famously and talked together for a long tim that day. A nice day for all.
Take care know our thoughts and prayers are with with you today.
Love Bonnie and Jim

Debbie Mientus

December 6, 2007

Dearest Linda and Family,
I always enjoy listening to your family tales and stories....you have a way of bringing everything you share to life.
Today, in honor of your Grandfather, I am going to go home and put the RED Christmas doggie collars on each of my pups (usually I wait until Christmas Eve...) and then tonight, just before Paul and I sit down to dinner together, I am going to eat my dessert first.
May God hold your sadness in the palm of his hands, and may the many, many fond memories of your Grandfather bring the warmest of hugs and smiles to your hearts.
Love, Debbie

Donna Bibisi

December 5, 2007

Linda & Family,

What a REMARKABLE man your grandfather is! Once again, you've written your own magic and told a lovely story. Through your words, I was able to learn all your beloved grandfather had to offer. I'm sorry I never had the pleasure of meeting him. My thoughts are with your family at this time. May you find peace in the memories you've created and the legacy he has left.

Michelle Camarco

December 5, 2007

Darlene and Family, We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was a wonderful man. I have so many fond memories of him at "the lake" growing up. May all of your great memories get you through the rough times. With Love Always, Michelle,Danny and Joshua.

Rob Bolduc

December 5, 2007

Several years ago when our childern where young we spent most weekends during the summer at the cottage with the Snows and the McNaughtons. Our familey grew very fond of Mr and Mrs McNaughton and we enjoyed listening to his stories just as much as he liked telling them. I am happy to say that I was a character of one of his stories. One evening when we where visiting the cottage, Mr McNaughton came running out of his cottage saying there was a bat in his bedroom! He was eagerly looking for a volenteer to help capture the beast! I told him don't worry I will be right there! Mr McNaughton and I decided we had to geer up for the mission. I put on a chris's bicycle helment and a pair of wood stove gloves and he wrapped his head in towels and we where both armed with his favorite brooms. We entered the bedroom to confront the beast! After a bit of comotion and a few screams we emeraged with a victory! Since that day many years ago we always called each other BAT MAN. He will always be remembered by us as a wonderful sweet man.

Rob "Batman", Jen, Amanda and Darren Bolduc

Linda Snow

December 5, 2007

My Grandfather, John Dilling McNaughton
By Linda Lee Snow

Anyone who has ever met my grandfather knows that he loved to tell stories. He could fill up an entire afternoon telling stories, barely stopping for a breath. So, today I am going to begin by telling one of his favorite stories. Every year my grandfather would bring out his bicycle riding Santa and Mrs. Clause lawn ornaments; or as he would call them, “Sandy Clause and Mrs. Sandy Clause.” Many people would often stop by to see the bicycling duo and grandpa was more than happy to come out and talk to them and answer their questions. One year a woman stopped by to admire the Clauses and upon studying them closely asked grandpa, “Why does Mrs. Clause pedal so much faster than Santa?” Always having just the right answer grandpa responded, “Why that’s because she’s 10 years younger.”

Another time a father and son had stopped by to see the Santa’s. Grandpa came outside and stood with them for awhile talking about the unique decorations. Grandpa had recently rigged the Santa’s so that they played music via remote control. While the boy and his father stood there grandpa told the boy, “Ask Sandy Clause to play some music for you.” Grandpa said that the boy looked at him and then looked at his dad as if to say, ‘sure. He’ll be alright’.” Grandpa then told the boy, “No really ask him and he will play something.” The boy looked at the Santa and said (grandpa would tell this part in a deep voice), “Sandy Clause play some music.” “No no.” Grandpa told the boy. “You have to say please.” (In a deep voice again) “Sandy Clause please play some music.” And with that grandpa flicked the switch to the remote control hidden up his sleeve and the music came on. Grandpa would say that at this point the boy froze. (He would always imitate the boy freezing by stomping his feet and holding his arms in the air while opening his blue eyes really wide.) At that moment the boy whispered “Careful what you say dad that sucker can hear.”

Yes, my grandfather loved the holidays. From putting up the lights to buying out every bag of Boston Baked Beans from the store so that he could give everyone in the family their own bag, he was always enthusiastic. Sometimes so enthusiastic that he had trouble waiting his turn come present opening time, ripping the paper off his presents before anyone had time to stop him.

Another thing that my grandfather loved was the color red. I remember riding in the car with him one summer and driving past a tag sale (another thing that he loved.) Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a motor cycle, a shinny candy apple motor cycle. He had no intentions of buying the motor cycle, but because it was red he slammed on the breaks and stopped the car in the middle of the road. He had red cars, a red cottage, and a red blanket. He would paint everything that he could get his hands on red and thought that every dog should wear a red collar. As long as it was red, it was ok with him.

Grandpa also had many collections. He collected hats, lamps, pins, pillows, afghans, radios, matchboxes, calipees, musical instruments, cars, mini carousels, car horns, wood stoves and at one point pianos. He took great pride in his belongings and kept them in immaculate condition. Because he had such a wide variety of interests it was easy for him to meet new people and become friends with them. He is one of the only people that I know who could drive to the gas station and come back with a person that he had just met who he wanted to show one of his collections to. He made friends wherever he went.

Although he rarely sat still, when he did it was on his front stoop waiving at everyone who walked by. I remember one time he drove my brother and me to the bakery in his beloved hup mobile. He honked his many car horns and waved at everyone we drove passed the entire drive. When we got to the bakery and went inside he knew everyone there.

My grandfather was not the type to just sit and relax. When he would go up to his cottage in Holland, Massachusetts for a weekend away he would spend most of his time doing what relaxed him…he swept. He would start with the driveway and by the end of the day he would have swept the entire road. If you’ve ever seen how sandy the road gets by the cottage you would understand what a chore this really was. Grandpa would say that it took the town of Holland so long to get a paved road up there, he didn’t want to loose it to washouts and see it become dirt again. Come winter when sweeping wasn’t an option he would shovel. Not just the walkway and driveway; my grandfather would shovel his entire lawn and melt the snow, spreading the chunks around the lawn until he was snow free. Often times his was the only lawn on the street that was snow free and always the most popular landing pad for the early robins of spring.

There are a lot of things that I have learned from my grandfather. He taught me how to spell Mississippi, although once I mastered that he asked me to spell Czechoslovakia. He also taught me that sometimes its ok to have “party time” and eat your pie before dinner. He showed me that you’re never too old to ride a scooter and that carousel music can make anyone smile. He also taught me to believe in magic; that fountains can spray water and bicycling Santa Clauses can play music on command, even if is because your grandfather has a switch behind his back or a remote control hidden up his sleeve.

John Dilling McNaughton was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be missed dearly. He would never say I love you, but instead would always say me too and we knew what he meant. Often times he would beat you to the punch and call “me too” before you could even utter a word to him as you walked out the door. Grandpa on behalf of “Vi”, “Dean”, “Chrisco Chango”, “Dave”, “Dave Fasino”, and “Linda Loople Doople Deeple Dopple”, we thank you for all that you have given us and will miss you dearly. Me too.

Don & Marie David

December 5, 2007

John's many stories were a source of entertainment and much amusement.

Each year at the Hebron Harvest Fair, you could find John & Violet sitting on the hill for the Senior Day Entertainment. John spinning tales for all who would listen.

His warm smile mad you feel comfortable to talk with him right from the start.

John, Thanks for the stories........

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results