- Date Of Birth: December 3, 1920
- Date Of Death: January 8, 2011
- State: Connecticut
John Viets Makepeace, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Naugatuck, CT on January 8, 2012, at age 91. His wife of 65 years, Marion, and family members were with him.
Johnny (as he liked to be called) was born on December 3, 1920 to Walter Dunham Makepeace & Ethel Sperry Makepeace, the youngest of 5 children. He grew up in Waterbury, CT and attended McTernan’s school, graduating in the class of 1933. He also attended and graduated from Taft and Andover Preparatory Schools, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1943.
Johnny honorably served our country in World War II and actually landed on Normandy Beach 3 weeks after D-Day. He rarely spoke of his time in the military, preferring to share humorous moments. He considered it an honor and privilege to serve his country.
It was after World War II that he met the love of his life, the beautiful Marion Tyler Hole. They soon fell in love and married on November 9, 1946. They stayed married for 65 years. Shortly after their marriage, they settled in Naugatuck, CT, where they lived and raised a family.
Johnny worked in the insurance business for awhile, but at 43 he followed his dream and became a very successful stockbroker and investment counselor, He didn’t retire until he was 89 years of age. His tremendous work ethic and his focus to always move forward despite the obstacles, inspired his family and those around him.
He served the greater Waterbury community by serving for 25 years on the Board of the Waterbury Red Cross, and was Chairman of the Board during the devastating Waterbury floods of 1955.
