John H. Mitchell, Jr., 94, of Palm Harbor, Florida, formerly of Longmeadow, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2024. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 23, 1929, he was the son of the late, John H. & Lucy (Besse) Mitchell, Sr., and predeceased by his sister, Martha DeFronzo.
John attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Amherst College, class of 1950, and obtained his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School in 1953. He practiced law in Springfield his entire career, first at Park & Mitchell, which later became Park, Mitchell & Dee, then at Appleton, Kubicek, Rice & Mitchell, finishing his career at Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Springfield Hospital, now Baystate Medical Center, a member of the Board of Trustees of Wesson Maternity Hospital, and a corporator of The United Fund and The Springfield Institution for Savings. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Hampden County Bar Association.
John was married to Joan (Payne) Mitchell, with whom he had two sons, Robert and Thomas. He was later married to Ann (Lincoln) Mitchell, with whom he also had two sons, John Lincoln and Jeffrey. John was a sailor growing up, spending summers with his family on Cape Cod. He loved playing tennis, paddle tennis and golf, each of which he excelled at, was an accomplished pianist, and an avid bridge player.
Upon his retirement from the law in 1999, he spent winters in Florida, eventually moving there year-round.
He is survived by his four sons, Bob, Tom, Linc, and Jeff, their wives, Debbie, Sharon, Joanie, and Leila, his nine grandchildren, Jennifer Applewhite, Melissa Benefiel, Katharine Brite, Carolyn, Maxwell, Maya, Lucy, Addi and Cole Mitchell, and two great-grandchildren, Easton and Eliana Benefiel.
All are invited to John’s 11 a.m. memorial service on Tuesday, April 30th, at First Church of Christ in Longmeadow. His burial at Longmeadow Cemetery was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760.
Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.