John D. Mitchell

It is with sorrow that the family of John D. Mitchell, aged 70, announce his unexpected passing on January 29th, 2026. John was born on December 7, 1955, in Kent OH, the only son to parents Rex and Helen (Strawbridge) Mitchell. When John was a teenager, his family moved to the shoreline town of Madison, CT, where he quickly and easily became a fixture in the community, due to his charming and lighthearted nature, making lasting friendships, and colorful memories that will not soon be forgotten by his friends and family, including racing the “quarter mile” on the Hammonasset Connector with friends and the muscle cars they loved to work on. John’s love of cars and working on them was built at an early age, and he continued to enjoy car racing, and working on cars throughout his life.

After graduating in 1974, John remained on the shoreline, continuing to learn and soon becoming an expert in the construction trade, working at places such as Clinton Nurseries. While John was a hard worker, he enjoyed making time for his friends and hanging out, and could often be found down at Nick’s, enjoying a beer and laughs with friends. During this time, he also fell in love with Linda Douglas, who became his much-loved wife and best friend. Together, they blended their two families of boys into one, and in 1991, they moved to Vermont, making quiet Hartland their home.

After moving to Vermont, John continued to work in the construction trade, as a skilled heavy equipment operator in the Upper Valley, working first for Moultin Construction, before joining the crew at D.R. Key Corp in Lebanon, NH. During his twenty-five-year career with them, John not only helped to build the infrastructure at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, but he also laid out and built the walking paths that many use on this property. He also created lasting friendships with Dana and Andy Key, as well as Ronnie “Sandman” Garvin. After his retirement due to medical reasons, John continued to visit, often bringing his grandson Max to hang out at the garage.

After retirement, John focused on his family and often spent time in his workshop with Max, his grandson and right-hand man, working on various projects, including teaching Max how to ride minibikes. He also enjoyed hanging out with his close friend and adventure partner of many years, Steve Leninski, cooking for his family, and spoiling all of the beloved family dogs, (as well as a few cats and one potbellied pig) that were lucky to call the Mitchell household their home throughout the years. In the mornings, John and Linda would often enjoy their coffee while on speakerphone with friends and family, sharing their lives and stories with one another. Linda and John spent almost every day together, by each other’s side, and would often joke that they were the only ones who enjoyed the Covid lockdown, as it meant more time with each other.

John was a man of many qualities, a fun-loving guy with an infectious laugh, who was boisterous, thoughtful, kindhearted, and willing to help regardless the task. To know John is to have at least one memory that could bring a smile or laugh, if not many more, and the knowledge that his time with us in this world was not nearly long enough.

John will be so missed by many, including his loving wife Linda Mitchell of Hartland, who will forever miss John’s steady presence in the life they built together, three sons, David Mails of Clinton Ct, Steven Mails of Hartland Vt, Benjamin Walker (Emma) of ME, grandsons Max Mitchell, with whom he shared a close relationship with, as well as Cameron Mails, Owen Hoy, and Brandon Walker. John is also survived by his mother-in-law Evelyn Douglas, sister-in-law Sandra (Michael) Bray, niece Tifany Laffin, and brother-in-law Thomas Douglas and his family. In addition, John leaves behind numerous cousins, Pam Kirkland, Julie Leonard, Bonnie Morgan, Suzie Collins, Michael Greene, Cindy Lewis, Peggy Holmes, Jill Costanzo, and Jack Lewis. Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his son, John H. Mitchell.

A private service will be held for John at a later date. Knight Funeral Home of Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be shared at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.