John Paine

John Paine, 89, of Lexington, Ma., died on June 29, 2024, making sure that his last words were an "I love you" to family members. In many ways, his epitaph might be summed up by the comment of a former student; "He was a giant; he was my teacher."

John was born on June 20, 1935 to Henry Canton Paine and Phyllis [Leacock] Paine in the Southgate neighborhood of London, England. Growing up as a child of the London Blitz may have shaped his future as an educator. Always inquisitive, his interest in rooting out German spies and climbing over the bombing rubble to collect shrapnel likely spurred his parents to evacuate both him and his sister, Barbara, from the city. Out in the country, the two were bustled off to the local school, where all but one of the school masters had been called up to fight in the war. The remaining master, recognizing John's untapped potential, appointed him the primary school math teacher. John was 8 years old.

After the war, John returned to London where he was selected to attend Queen Elizabeth's grammar school, one of those quintessential institutions that has shaped the British youth since 1573. John always spoke fondly of these schoolboy years, recalling his fraternity of gangly boys with close-cropped hair, big ears and short trousers, and his triumphs as a schoolboy athlete competing in five different sporting events in a single year. In spite of occasionally breaking school rules [he was once punished for being seen without his school cap during holidays], John rose up the academic ranks to earn a scholarship to Oxford University. "Prophecy is dangerous, but he may do very well indeed," his history teacher wrote on his final report card. John attended Merton College at Oxford, where he read history, played rugby, scaled college walls, and punted on the Cherwell. He enjoyed Oxford so much that he would later serve as President of the New England Oxford and Cambridge society and to relive a little of those days of cricket and high dining.

John left England for the United States in 1959, drawn to this continent first by his national service with the Royal Air Force in Canada and then by a job offer from a small prep school in Dedham, Ma. - Noble & Greenough School. In spite of some initial hiccups, such as signing on to coach football only to realize that those Americans were not referring to soccer, John found his life's calling as an history teacher, and he remained at Nobles for 40 years until he retired as senior master in 2000. He explored much of the world and its history with his students, beginning with European history and moving on to develop courses in Chinese and Japanese history, economics and ethics. With a fellow teacher, Lisa Colt, he taught one of the first high school Holocaust classes in the state. As a Nobles student, if you didn't have John as your teacher, you likely had him as your coach. Through his years, he coached Boys and Girls soccer, tennis and squash. Many students also traveled to Europe with the high school tour company he started, Europe Today, where they remember startling van rides over the Alps, packed itineraries, delicious vats of Beef Bourguignon cooked over camp stoves, and John's historical site lectures that were always entertaining if not 100% truthful. Nobles' alumni over the years recall John's keen interest in their thinking and ideas, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than to catch up with former students.

After his retirement and move to Connecticut, John modified his role as an educator and became a favorite "manny" to a small host of the children of friends and families, who fondly remember car rides, pool parties and games. He also rekindled a love affair with Gilbert & Sullivan, performing in a number of local productions.

John was married twice, first to Prudence Paine and then to Karen Wyman. Both marriages were full of family, friends and adventure. John was predeceased by Prue, Karen, and his eldest son, Ian Canton Paine. He is survived by daughters Katrina Strauss and Deborah Sabin, son Eric Wyman, and their spouses Jim Strauss, Michael Sabin and Diana Wyman. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Zachary Sabin, Haley Strauss, Annika Strauss, Matthew Sabin, Elena Sabin, Elizabeth Wyman and Rebecca Wyman.

All are welcome at the Celebration of Life for John Paine. The celebration will be held on October 26, at 10am at the First Church and Parish in Dedham, 670 High Street. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Ian Canton Paine Memorial Scholarship fund at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham [ www.nobles.edu/giveonline with "Ian Canton Paine Memorial Scholarship" in the additional information section].