John A. Spaeth, 70, of Stafford Springs, CT, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in 1954 in West Allis, Wisconsin, to Dorothy and Gilbert Spaeth, John spent his early years as a Boy Scout, participating in Drum and Bugle Corps, and playing drums in his amateur rock band. These early experiences inspired his love for music and bringing people together.
John attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1984. Following graduation, he began his career at RexWorks, where he worked for six years. His journey then led him to Vermont, where he made Essex Junction his home for more than three decades. During this time, he dedicated nearly 20 years as a Controls Engineer at Wyeth Nutritionals before spending a decade at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which included earning a degree from “Coffee College.”
John is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Dona. His legacy lives on through his beloved children: Theresa (John) Urbanowicz; Caitlin (Caden Triplett) Spaeth; and Jonathan (Nicole) Spaeth. He also leaves behind cherished grandchildren, Jett, Quinn, and Harper, who will always treasure their memories of Grandpa’s music, adventures, and shared snacks. John’s extended family includes his in-laws, Robert and Cheryl McCloskey, and their children, Patrick and Melissa.
Throughout his life, John built and maintained lifelong friendships, many dating back to grade school. He loved swapping news articles, photos, and life updates with close friends, ensuring those bonds remained strong.
John found immense joy in spending time with his family, particularly on camping trips that spanned the country, from Maine to Texas, Florida to Montana. These adventures often included visits to National Parks, a testament to his love of nature and exploration. His sense of humor, generosity, and knack for offering advice—whether solicited or not—will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Please give a gift in honor of John Spaeth to the National Park Foundation through our page. All donations are tax-deductible and support the parks we all love. Please feel free to leave notes and memories to share with everyone on the message board. We look forward to reading them.

NPF works to protect national parks and to create life-long connections to natural, cultural, and historical gems. As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, NPF is responsible for protecting the parks for future generations.

We thank you for your support of our family as well as the National Park Foundation.