John Jay Huss, 88, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, and Groton Long Point, Connecticut, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, May 19th. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally Newell, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage, and his sons, John N. (Sonya), and Robert S. (Carroll), and four grandchildren, Xavier, Adele, Scarlett, and Ivy. John was born in New York City on Halloween of 1936 to E. Jay and Adele E. Huss. The family soon moved to Old Lyme, CT, where John formed many lifelong friendships. After graduating from Pomfret School, he entered the Yale class of 1959. John joined the Zeta Psi fraternity and was elected to the editorial board of the Yale Record, America’s oldest college humor magazine.
After graduation, John completed Army basic training at Fort Dix, followed by another six months at Fort Bliss. He began his career in the life insurance industry at Connecticut Mutual in Hartford. In August of 1970, Sally walked into his office for a job interview. John wasn’t sure if he would hire her, but he knew damn well that he would marry her. Six months later, they were wed.
The Huss family expanded with the birth of John and Rob, and they were enjoying life in West Hartford until the opportunity to join New England Life in Boston presented itself. Manchester-by-the-Sea soon became John’s “forever home,” and he quickly became a very active member of the small community. Many mornings before the dreaded commute to his office, John enjoyed solo lobstering on his Boston Whaler. John was a beloved longtime member of the Essex County Club, where he played golf, tennis, paddle, and later in life, pickleball and bridge. He led and served on numerous committees, including tennis, admissions, entertainment, and history, and was chair of the Club’s Centennial celebration in 1993. In 2001, John was awarded the Green Jacket in recognition of his service to the club.
John immersed himself in the Manchester community. He volunteered at Memorial School and the Manchester Historical Museum (formerly the Manchester Historical Society), where he served as president and curator. The museum became his home away from home in later years. With his passion for history, art, and meeting new people, John became a docent at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, where, until recently, he gave energetic and inspired tours to museumgoers.
Summers and many holidays were spent in Groton Long Point with Sally’s large extended family, who embraced John as one of their own. He loved sitting on the porch of their 1911 cottage and welcoming whomever might “wash up.”
John was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Huss Limeburner. In addition to his sons and their families, he is survived by his sisters-in-law, Helen Douglas and Katharine Newell, his brother-in-law, William Newell (Meg), nephews Jack, Charlie, and Russell Newell, and niece, Maggie Newell, as well as many cousins.
Above all, John loved his family more than anything else. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, and uncle. He was a true gentleman and a class act who will be remembered as thoughtful, sweet, funny, creative, and a great dancer.
Burial will be private. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s memory to the Manchester Historical Museum, Cape Ann Museum, or Care Dimensions.
