John C. "Jack" Trumbull

NORTHFIELD - John C. (Jack) Trumbull, 83, died Sunday, January 27, while visiting with his son and daughter-in-law near Philadelphia, PA. He was taken ill very suddenly late Saturday evening and passed away at Bryn Mawr Hospital about 18 hours later, surrounded by his loving family, many of whom traveled all day from New England.
Jack was the love of Madeline, his wife of almost 60 years before her death in May 2011, and of his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Madeline and Jack met in Haverhill, MA, and married there on Sept. 16, 1951. They moved to Northfield in 1955 and worked at Pioneer Valley Regional School. Madeline was secretary to the principal and Jack taught history and was Chairman of the Social Studies Department until their retirement in 1986. He was recipient of the Wiegand Memorial Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1967.
Jack was a 50-year member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Northfield, MA, and served the church in a host of different ways including membership in the TCC diaconate and the fund-raising committee. He was also a trustee of the Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield. Antiques were a vocation, and he was co-owner of Cobblestone Production Antique Shows and a dealer in the Antique Shop of Old Deerfield and The Collector's Eye in Stratham, NH.
Jack had a love of the ocean and spent winters for 20 years after retirement from PVRS on the waterfront at Salisbury Beach, MA. with Madeline, where they frequently hosted their children and grandchildren and visiting friends from Northfield. Everyone who knew Jack will remember him for his inquisitive interest in almost any topic, his sense of humor, and especially for his infectious laugh.
Jack is survived by his son Robert and wife Priscilla of Ardmore, PA, son John and wife Kathy of Berlin, NH, son Mark and wife Christine of Northfield, foster son John Boden of Hinsdale, NH, and grandchildren Rosemary of Medford, MA, Jonathan of Brooklyn, NY, and Jessica and Rebecca of Northfield. He is also survived by niece Cynthia Johnson and nephews Bruce Johnson and Paul Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Madeline, and his sister Margery Johnson.
A memorial service in celebration of Jack's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Northfield, MA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Trinitarian Congregational Church, Northfield, MA 01360.