John E. "Red" Spinney, 92, a long-time resident of Lawrence and North Andover, MA, and Hampstead, NH passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at home  in White River Junction, VT, with his loving life partner, Colleen O'Brien by his side.

Along with Colleen, John is survived by his children, daughter Patricia A. Loranger of Nashville, TN, son John S. Spinney of Windham, NH and his girlfriend, Barbara Burns of Salem, NH, daughter Donna E. Wheeler and her husband, Bob of Rowley, MA, and daughter Paula A. Guerin and her husband, Chris of Lenexa, KS. He was preceded in death by his son James A. Spinney in 2009. In addition to his children, he leaves behind his son Jim's widow, Wendy Spinney Cresta of Oldsmar, FL, his brother William A. Spinney and his wife Rachel, of Hobe Sound, FL, his sister Janice P. Botelho of Centerville, MA, seven grandchildren. two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also pre-deceased by two sisters, Marion Smith, and Barbara Webster.

John was born in Boston, MA on October 18, 1927. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1946. After graduation, he joined the Navy and was honorably discharged as a WWII veteran. After leaving the Navy, John spent the next 30 years working in the food business. Most of that time was spent with the Beatrice Food Company working in sales and sales management, working briefly as a Branch Manager in Norfolk, VA. He eventually became the Branch Manager for the ice cream division in Woburn, MA as well as Hartford and Danbury, CT. His last 15 years in sales were with the Todco Division of the Overhead Door Company.

John proudly served as a Master Mason with the Cochichewick Lodge A.F. & A.M. in North Andover, MA. He received his Third Degree in June of 1970 and was recently awarded his 50-year service pin. He made many friends while serving as a Mason and enjoyed the camaraderie  and fellowship.

His family knew that nothing was more important to John then spending time with them. He loved the family pets, especially their dog Hobo, and their cat, Stache. He enjoyed sitting on his sun porch whistling to the birds and got a kick out of when they whistled back. His neighbors considered him the 'mayor' of the neighborhood.  He and his family enjoyed many years of camping with their close friends the Dallon family of Lawrence, MA. John loved music, especially country music and could often be heard singing along with the radio in his loud, deep voice. He loved a good party and was always looking for a reason to have one.

A visitation will be held from 4-6pm Sunday, August 16 at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT. Condolences may be expressed to Red's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

Colleen along with John's children would like to thank the team at Bayada Hospice of Vermont for the exceptional care they provided to John and Colleen during John's final months. They would especially like to thank Tanner and Eric who both offered spiritual care and empathetic listening, Robin, LNA who allowed John to maintain his dignity as she gently assisted him with his personal needs, and Kori, RN who lovingly cared for John, treating him with kindness, respect, honesty and compassion.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in John's name may be made to the Cochichewick Lodge A.F. & A.M. in North Andover, MA, the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research, or the charity of your choice.