John P. Davern
John P. Davern of New Haven, CT passed away at home on Sunday, March 13, 2022. He was 58 years old. Born October 11, 1963, John grew up in New York City, Cold Spring Harbor, NY and New Canaan, CT before moving to New Haven in the early 1980s. He studied at Southern Connecticut State College (now Southern Connecticut University) and never left New Haven, as he quickly fell in love with the city, staying for the rest of his life. John worked at many different places around the city including Fairhaven Woodworks, Atticus Bookstore, and Willoughby's Coffee Roasters, before finally settling at Natureworks Garden Center in Northford, CT. He did landscaping all around Northeastern Connecticut and finally, with other employees, became a part-owner of the company.
John was an avid ocean swimmer who would make a point to dunk in the icy water of the Long Island Sound through the winter months and in the warmer months was known around town for organizing group trips to Blue Shutters Beach in Rhode Island. His other passions were music, especially jazz, movies, books and was active in several environmental causes. He loved discussions with his many friends in restaurants, bars and parties around town. He made friends easily and remained good friends with people he met, always lending a hand to anyone who needed it and lifting people's spirits with his unbreakable, positive attitude and great sense of humor.
John was predeceased by his father Bryan J. Davern in 2016 and his mother Anne (West) Davern in 2018. He is survived by his brother Bob Davern and sister-in-law Sandy Davern of Springfield, VT as well as many cousins along the East Coast and in the Midwest.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, March 24th at 6:30 pm on the New Haven Green. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. 11 Wooster Place is in care of John's arrangements. Donations in John's memory may be made to Friends of the Earth, 1101 15th Street NW, 11th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 or www.foe.org. Share a memory and sign John's guest book online at www.iovanne.com.

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

Published by The New Haven Register on Mar. 19, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Davern

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12 Entries

Tim Sheehan

April 7, 2023

Tim Sheehan

April 7, 2023

Tim Sheehan

April 7, 2023

Johnny lived life and enjoyed life and the people in it. He had so many friends, and he touched so many people. We can all learn from his example. Don't wait-- live!

Andrea A. Robinson

March 26, 2022

I'll always remember John's bright sunny smile and how he always had a moment to talk to me, always helpful...New Haven will not be the same without him, my deepest condolences to his family.

Bob Davern

March 24, 2022

Johnny and my mother in law played a mean chopsticks at our wedding back in 1998. Johnny was a prince as my best man. Lovable Johnny. I think I met you a long time ago and I know he spoke well of you.

Joe Delaney

March 23, 2022

Great photos Maria. Lots of great ocean and lake memories I had forgotten. I still regret not going to Hawaii with you guys, but the laughs and photos made me feel like I was there.

Bob, I also remember how proud John was about the magic he tapped into playing impromptu piano at the wedding, despite being an amateur.

Bob Davern

March 21, 2022

Posted here may be the most beautiful photos of my brother I've ever seen - thank you Maria Evans! So young in these photos. The one in the laundromat really captures his personality perfectly. John had the sweetest heart - always looking out for others and always making sure everyone was included. Not out of duty but because he honestly loved all people - understanding each one as an individual and loving people for who they really are. Very funny and always very interested in whatever anyone was talking about.

Maria Evans

March 20, 2022

Here's another picture of John- in his element enjoying the beach and goofing around.

Tony Juliano

March 20, 2022

I'll miss you so much John. New Haven will be little more grayer now that you're gone.

Maria Evans

March 19, 2022

Maria Evans

March 19, 2022

Maria Evans

March 19, 2022

I lost touch with John after moving to California over 20 years ago. To this day, I still consider John a good friend and was just last weekend, the weekend of his passing, telling a story about "my good friend John Davern". The anecdote about John I was retelling was meant to be a sort of life lesson, highlighting his amazing ability to have a good time no matter what the circumstances, even while doing mundane things. This is a picture of John as I remember him, dancing, singing, enjoying himself and lifting the spirits of those around him, even while doing laundry. I wish I had reconnected with John before his passing, but I will always have fond memories of all the fun we had. "Good Times", as John would say. Good times indeed...

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