John William Shuck

John William Shuck passed away on March 2 in Miami, Florida after a severe stroke. He was born “on the banks of the Pontchartrain” in an Army hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana to William Arthur Shuck and Ruthanne Gruendler Shuck. John grew up in Hanover, Indiana. He loved music and played cornet in school and local brass bands. He was also a complete motorhead, restoring numerous cars and motorcycles and over time amassing a significant collection of automobile books and memorabilia. He attended his 51st Indianapolis 500 in 2015. At Indiana University, John was in Army ROTC, a charter member of the Gamma Chi chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, and earned a BA in education. There he met and married Susie in 1970. John served in the Army for six years and was Active Duty from 1971-1973. In 1980 they moved to Westport, CT. John’s skills were put to work not only on their old carriage house, but also in House Smart, Inc. a home inspection business he founded. He served on the United Way board and the Westport Rotary Club, of which he was president in 1992. In 1986 he finished 13th in the Iron Butt, an 8,600 mile rally around the perimeter of the US. He was recognized for riding the oldest bike, a 1973 Triumph Trident which he built from parts. After Cindy was born in 1988, John was a foreman for the first Compo Beach Playground. In Beijing, China from 1996-2000, John was elected PTA President of the International School of Beijing and helped with fundraising and development. He rode Chinese motorcycles and ultimately donated one to the Barber Motorcycle Museum. Back in Westport, he remained an active Rotarian and served on the Staples Tuition Grants committee. He was also a member of the BMW Motorcycles Owners Association, Free to Ride, the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society, the International Motor Press Association, and the Connecticut Café Racers. John co-founded the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance and was President and Director of Operations for 8 years. The Concours was nationally recognized and benefitted the Drive to Treat Autism and St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services. John also led the Concours d’Caffeine, served on Westport’s Public Site and Building Commission, and helped organize Westport Rotary’s inaugural Lobster Fest. John was an avid traveler, music lover, and reader. One of his favorite destinations was New Orleans to enjoy the rich food, music, and history of his and Susie’s roots, including the Jazz and Heritage Festival. He will be remembered as an honest, generous, well-spoken, and dependable man; a devoted and supportive husband and a caring and attentive father. John lived life fully and took advantage of all it had to offer. He leaves behind many words of wisdom, but above all he would want us to take it all in for him and remember “the diversion is the adventure.” He is survived by his wife, Susie, daughter, Cindy, son-in-law, Doug Noe, siblings Susie Allman, Mike, Pat, Robert, and Anne Shuck, and many nephews and nieces. Calling hours will be Saturday, March 19th from 2-6pm at Harding Funeral Home in Westport. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of John to: the Westport Rotary Club Foundation for local charities and scholarships (note “John Shuck Memorial” on checks to Westport Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 743, Westport CT 06881-0743) or the Tipitina’s Foundation, which promotes music education and the viability of Louisiana music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource (online at tipitinasfoundation.org/johnshuck or note “John Shuck” on checks to: Tipitina’s Foundation, 4040 Tulane Ave, Suite 8000, New Orleans, LA 70119).