John Kenneth Spring

John K. Spring of Concord and Nantucket, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home in Concord on Thursday, May 12 shortly after his 97th birthday.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa to Alvin J. Spring and Pearl K. Spring, his family moved to Clayton, MO. He attended St Louis Country Day School where he captained his Baseball team. His fondest memories were spending summers in Hollywood, California with his grandparents. John attended Yale University (Class of 1941), where he was Editor of the Yale Daily News and Chairman of the Yale Year Book. Following Yale, John joined the Navy in 1942 while attending Harvard Business School. John met his wife Helen (Claflin) Spring in Belmont, MA in 1942, which lead to an incredibly loving marriage lasting 70 years.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a first lieutenant during World War II aboard the carrier USS Shangri-La; which saw action in the Pacific theatre. After leaving the Navy, John had an illustrious business and philanthropic career.

He was most proud of his family, enjoyed taking family trips to ski areas, and took special interest in each family member. He had been the senior Partner and President of Welch & Forbes, (1960-1999), an investment management firm in Boston. He was a Director of State Street Bank (1970-1988), New England Mutual Life Insurance (1974-1990), Compugraphic Corporation (1975-1988), Millipore Corporation (1961-1990), and Reed and Barton Corporation (1988-2000), Kenics Corp and Metitape. He was Treasurer (1968-1978) and Trustee (1960-1978) of Wellesley College. He was President of Emerson Hospital (1966-1970), President of Nashoba Brooks School of Concord (mid-1960's), and President of the Chapter of the American Red Cross (1950-1952), Concord, MA. He was an active Director of Crossroads For Kids, the Concord Art Association, the Concord Carlisle Community Chest, and the Home for the Aged in Concord, MA. He is a former Trustee of Mount Auburn Cemetery (15 years) and the Children's Museum (1950's), former Overseer Emeritus of Mass General Hospital and Corporation member of Partner's Healthcare, Inc. He currently was active on the MetLife's Director's Advisory Board and an Overseer Emeritus of the Boston Museum of Science and Children's Hospital of Boston. He was a General Partner of Ampersand Venture Capital Funds One through Four and the Claflin Capital Venture Funds One through Seven.

He was a Life Member of the Concord Country Club and a member of Sankaty Head Golf Club of Nantucket and the Nantucket Yacht Club.

He leaves his beloved wife of 70 years Helen (Claflin) Spring, and 4 children: Nita Montero; John Spring Jr. and his wife Debby; Bill Spring and his wife Barbara; and Suzi Spring. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

"To all those who are connected with me by blood, or marriage, or who know me well, please each day do something for someone else. This will enrich your lives with love and faith and hope and joy." – John K. Spring

Family and friends will gather for John's memorial service on Thursday, May 26 at 2:00 pm in the Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm St., Concord, MA. Interment with U.S. Navy Military Honors in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord was private.

Concord's town flag will fly at half-staff on Thursday, May 26 in honor of Mr. Spring's service to his country in the United States Navy during WWII.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in memory of John to:
Crossroads, Attn: Alex,
119 Myrtle St.,
Duxbury, MA 02332
or
Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Capital Campaign
57 Prospect St.
Nantucket, MA 02554