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John Bruce Reddington, beloved father, grandfather, proud U.S. Marine, golf partner, boating buddy, social butterfly and the toughest guy we ever knew, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025. Just days earlier, John had been surrounded by family and friends to celebrate his 95th birthday. John was the son of Irish immigrants Frank Patrick Reddington and Delia Mahoney Reddington of County Galway. He was raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts along with his three brothers Frank, Charlie, and Joe, and his sister Lucille. A multi-sport athlete, John played baseball and basketball for St. Joseph’s Central High School in Pittsfield and Holy Cross College in Worcester. He was proudest of his time with Pittsfield’s Brass Rail team, who won the 1949 All American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, beating out teams from all over the country. Anyone who met John Reddington knew that he was a proud, US Marine Corp combat veteran, who served on the frontlines as a Sergent in the Artillary Division, and was then promoted to the rank of Captain during the Korean War. During his service after Korea, John studied at the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy on Eta Jima Island. Recently, he shared his military experiences, and thoughts on war in general, during a captivating speech on May 26th of this year, when he was asked by the Town of Surfside Beach, SC, a town he had come to love dearly, to be the guest speaker at the Memorial Day Ceremony held in Veterans Park. He had also had great joy in presiding as the Grand Marshall for the parade that preceded his speech. John and his wife Connie were married in August of 1955. Over the next 32 years they lived in Ohio and Michigan as John began his career at General Motors, then ultimately settled in Andover, Massachusetts where they raised their three daughters Christine, Stacey, and Karen. John owned and operated several businesses in Massachusetts, including Merrimack Auto Supply, Reddington Auto Parts, and more. His favorite downtime activities were boating on Lake Winnipesaukee or playing golf at Indian Ridge Country Club. He was also a member at Wahconah Country Club in Pittsfield, where he and his three brothers were regular leaders in their Little Brown Jug Golf Tournament. Later in life, John shared a loving partnership of more than 30 years with Barbara Reddington. They enjoyed regular trips to the southwest with family to visit loved ones, and later found simple joy in weekly picnics at the park and dinners out at their favorite local spots. In 2022, John received a new lease on life when he moved to Surfside Beach, South Carolina to be closer to his daughter Stacey and son-in-law Joe. His days were spent laughing with his dining room friends at Arbor Landing, joking with beloved staff members, and enjoying the sunshine on the back patio. Several times a week he could also be found out and about, taking a boat day with Joe, Stacey, and a rotating cast of friends, playing nine holes with Stacey, or meeting up with their friends at Sundown for live music and a cold beer. Dad’s last years were some of his happiest; a joyful gift he said he never expected so late in life. Anyone lucky enough to spend time with him was privileged to experience that happiness. We will miss him terribly. John is survived by his children and grandchildren: Christine Sagebiel of Sun City West, AZ; Stacey, Joe and Bowen Cotter and Ashton Hyman of Surfside Beach, SC; Karen Reddington and John Ioli of Wilton, CT; Noah and Alyssa Sackowitz of Wilton, CT; and his longtime partner Barbara Reddington of Pittsfield, MA. He was adored by too many people to list, and his family is forever grateful for every one of you. John’s family is honoring his wishes with a small, family memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any veterans support organization.

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John Bruce Reddington

August 14, 1930 - August 19, 2025