Obituary: John Viets Makepeace, 91, Former Deacon At Middlebury Congregational Church

John Viets Makepeace, 91, died peacefully at his home in Naugatuck on January 8, 2012. His wife of 65 years, Marion, and family members were with him.

Makepeace was born on December 3, 1920, to Walter Dunham Makepeace and Ethel Sperry Makepeace, the youngest of five children. He grew up in Waterbury 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.

Makepeace honorably served the United States in World War II and actually landed on Normandy Beach three 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, where they lived and raised a family.

Makepeace worked in the insurance business for a while, but at age 43, he followed his dream and became a successful stockbroker and investment counselor.

He did not 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.

Makepeace assisted 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.

He worked with United Way, serving on the budget committee and contributing to their yearly canvassing. He also served as a board member to the organization that grew into the Easter Seals.

Makepeace was a longtime member of , where he served as church treasurer and deacon, and was an active church member for more than 40 years.

Makepeace had a tremendous network of friends, many of whom he knew his entire life. He was appreciated for his directness and wonderful sense of humor.

However, it was his wife and children whom he cherished the most. He taught his children tennis and used metaphors from the game to give them life lessons.

Makepeace suffered from asthma, but he was an avid athlete and competitor. He loved racquet sports, sailing, skiing and golf. He won the Waterbury ping pong championship at age 13.

Makepeace played on the Yale squash team and the Army Tennis Championships at Wimbledon after World War II. He won numerous tennis tournaments in New England over the years.

When asthma medicine was invented, it came in a green bottle, and when his opponents saw him take it on the tennis court, they knew they were in for big trouble. He played tennis well into his 80s.

Makepeace was preceded in death by his brothers, Roger and Leroy; his sister Millicent; and by his daughter Marcy Loomis. He is survived by his wife Marion, his sister Evelyn, and his four sons, Tyler, David, Richard and Seth, and their families.

Memorials: Following Makepeace's wishes, contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Waterbury Red Cross, 228 Meadow Street, Suite 401, Waterbury, CT 06710, and the White Memorial Conservation Litchfield Bird Sanctuary, P.O. 368, Litchfield, CT 06759.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.

Funeral Home:

Services: Details of the memorial service and celebration of Makepeace’s life will be announced at a later date.