John Barber Hartwell

1932 - 2022

John Barber Hartwell

West Lebanon, NH — John Barber Hartwell, 89, died Saturday, April 23, 2022, at his home in West Lebanon, NH.

John was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, on June 15, 1932, to Anne Ely (Patterson) and Joseph Barber Hartwell. His early childhood was spent in Weston, Mass. attending elementary school at The Meadowbrook School and Weston Public Schools. He also attended Phillips Exeter Academy for two years and then graduated from Harvard College in 1954, where he played Lacrosse. Subsequently after training in the ROTC, he was commissioned as an officer and served in the Army Field Artillery in Germany as part of NATO from 1955 to 1957.

After his discharge, John was employed in Advertising and later worked for Carter Products, and as a Sales Manager for Hertz Car Leasing, ITT World Communications, Equitable Life Insurance, and finally helped introduce a computer block trading information system – Autex. At the end of his business career, John earned a master's degree in Elementary Education at Hunter College in New York City. He was employed as a substitute teacher at St. David's School in New York City for 5 years. He later was a tutor for elementary students and a volunteer mentor with a reading program for elementary students in White River Junction, Vermont.

John married Joan Downs Fennell on October 11, 1969. They traveled extensively in the U.S. and internationally to Mexico, Europe, Middle and Far East, also Central and South America. John was an inveterate, especially talented, amateur photographer for many years and took pride in chronicling unique images on their many trips together. His other hobbies were biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and hiking. John was a kind, caring, enthusiastic man.

John was predeceased by his sister, Joan; brother, Dick; and his parents. He is survived by his wife, Joan Hartwell; nephews, Bill and Tom Briggs, Joe Hallowell, and Richard A. Hartwell, and his wife, Nadine; nieces, Anne Laplante and Kate Stacy, and her two children, Lily and Sam; as well as several cousins.

Services are pending.

To leave a message of condolence or remembrance, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.