John Cushing Laundon

John Cushing Laundon "Joe Row", 82 of Newnan, GA, formally of Essex, CT passed away suddenly Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Newnan Piedmont Hospital. He was born May 15, 1941 in Cleveland, OH to the late Mortimer Hamlin Laundon Jr. and Jean Kinney Laundon (also both from Ohio).
When only a toddler, Dad's family moved East to New York (Chappaqua) and Connecticut (Killingworth and Sachem Head). And it was in these latter rural towns that Dad's active life took shape: skating, biking, skiing, tennis, golf, sailing, plus raising rabbits, goats, a Labrador and even a rumored Labra-goat! Soon enough, Dad was off to boarding school (Proctor Academy in NH), where once again his athletic talents landed him captain roles on the school's baseball and football teams. Next came the draft, where he served three years in the army, primarily Heidelberg, Germany. Numerous attempts were made for Dad to explain what he actually did in the army, but instead all we ever heard were tales of skiing in the Alps with his brother Averill, fastpitch softball games and a lot of sketchy shenanigans at local beer halls. Then, with his military commitment fulfilled, Dad transitioned to college and proudly graduated with a BS Degree from Columbia University, NY in 1967.
After college, Dad finally married his long-time sweetheart, Louise Townsend Beebe "Dossy". The two settled down in her hometown of Loudonville, NY, and began building a family along with innumerable lifelong friendships, friends who we still refer to as "uncles" and "aunts". Then around 1973, the family returned to Dad's turf along the south shore of Connecticut. It was here that Dad threw in all his marbles on an entrepreneurial adventure-a dilapidated clam canning outfit in Noank, CT. Despite being useless in the kitchen, he nevertheless persevered and through sheer grit and stubborn determination, Abbotts of New England was born. Within a couple years, little Abbotts blossomed into a formidable gourmet soup business, locking horns in supermarket aisles with soup industry behemoths. Abbotts' soups were in markets across the continent. The big boys took notice, made some course corrections to smother the intruder and a frenetic roller coaster ride ensued. Dad hung in there, took some beatings - never complained - soldiered on for decades to earn an everlasting fortune of pride and respect from his family.
It was during these intense years in the mid-80's that Dad, eager for an outlet, found his special purpose - an endurance sport that punishes every muscle, while insisting on finesse and the precise timing of a steam engine -- Rowing. BOOM! Another frenetic pursuit erupted and within two years this 40-year-old dad was dominating college kids. Based out of the Pettipaug Yacht Club, Dad became a heavy hitter in the rowing circuit taking on former Olympians and sometimes beating them, piling up medals. "Joe Row" was a five-time winner of Head of the Charles, medaled in twenty-five. He was a multiple winner of Head of the Schuylkill, Green Mountain Head, Head of the Housatonic, in single, double, and quad. Dad was a twenty-time Masters National Champion in single, double, and quad and a five-time winner of Worlds Masters Championships in a single. Most importantly to Dad, the comradery and friendships abounded. While a single scull was his most common event, he often found more enjoyment rowing in a double with his brother Averill, who teamed up with Dad in master events across the globe.
This trajectory continued for decades, but eventually Dad gracefully shifted his focus to helping others join and excel in the sport - especially kids. And once again, Dad was skyrocketing, coaching at local Connecticut high schools (Old Lyme HS, Glastonbury HS, and Valley Regional HS). The Old Lyme group eventually sent kids to elite rowing colleges and even the to the Olympics. These accomplishments later attracted a generous benefactor, who helped lift The Valley Regional program to a top-tier organization as well.
Recently, Mom and Dad moved to Newnan, Georgia, where Dad joined the Peach Tree Rowing Club and in three short years served as a coach, advisor, board member and mentor.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the George Pocock Rowing Foundation - a charity focused on building an inclusive rowing community that is accessible for all young people. Donation link: Donate - George Pocock Rowing Foundation (www.pocockfoundation.org)
Mom and dad's friend network is their most magnificent accomplishment. There are hundreds - all equally vital and all deep in our hearts. We are eternally grateful and fortunate. That said, immediate survivors include: wife, Louise Beebe Laundon; son, John Cushing (Karen) Laundon Jr of Pictou, Nova Scotia; son, Thomas Wickersham (Gretchen) Laundon of Atlanta, GA; brother, Averill (Joan) Laundon of Waterbury, VT; brother, Samual (Mari) Laundon of Lake Chapala, Mexico; sister, Jan Laundon of Winchester, VA; grandchildren, Waylon Jack and Piper Jean Laundon of Pictou, Nova Scotia, and Whitney Beebe and Ellie Paige Laundon of Atlanta, GA.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com
RIP, Dad. We love you and hopefully you're at a new starting line, ready to kick butt in another adventure! "Are you ready? Ready All. ROW!"
(All our Love -- Johnny, Tom, and The Doss.)