John H. Bellows

It is with the saddest of hearts that we announce the passing of John H. Bellows on Monday, January 29th, 2024, in Springfield MA. A man beloved by all who met and knew him, John was born February 5th, 1947, in Southampton NY. The youngest son of horticulturists, he was one of the three “Bellows Boys,” growing up loving and working the land with his older brothers, Arnold, and Charles. In 1963, at the age of sixteen, John joined Charlie at Greenbrier Military Academy in West Virginia, where he spent the next formative years boxing and marching. While there, he would meet Jan Carpenter, the woman who would, later in life, become his wife. Upon graduation from Greenbrier in 1966, John attended and received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia. He then pursued his master’s degree at Springfield College in Springfield MA, where he would remain for the rest of his life. John was a true people person and would always strike up conversations with anyone, a trait that would serve him well as a realtor for over 50 years. He spent those 50 years dedicated to one Real Estate office, Sears Real Estate here in Springfield. Within that time, he reconnected with his first love from Greenbrier, Jan Carpenter, whom he married and spend the next 19 years. John had no children of his own, but Jan brought three with her from her former marriage, all of whom bonded with him as a devoted member of the family. These in turn had children, and John was a loving and caring grandfather to them all. He was also a beloved uncle to his nephew, Xavier, and niece, Marie Claire. whom he had the honor of walking down the aisle at her wedding last year. John had an enormous heart and would always help anyone at any time. We invite all to attend a celebration of John’s life that will take place on Saturday, February 24th, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carriage House at the Barney Estate in Forest Park. John was preceded in death by his parents, Archibald and Mary Ella Bellows, his brother Arnold, and his wife Jan. He is survived by his brother Charles Bellows and sister-in-law Cathy of Southampton NY, sister-in law Francoise Bellows of John’s Creek, GA, niece Marie-Claire Bellows Weathers (John Weathers) of Decatur, GA, Xavier Bellows of Madrid, Spain, grandniece Anais Webber of Atlanta, GA, stepsons Jonathan Turner (Monique Suarez) of Springfield MA, Gavin Turner (Jessica Turner) of Laredo TX, stepdaughter Elizabeth Turner Love (Jess Love) of Menlo Park CA, and grandchildren Emma Turner of Springfield MA, Vivian and Jesse Love of Menlo Park CA, and Patrick Turner of Laredo TX. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Jan Bellows Memorial Fund c/o Williams Middle School in Longmeadow, MA. John Bellows was 76 years old. He will forever be missed. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit John’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.