John C. (Jack) Candon  died Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after a brief illness.

Jack was born in Rutland, Vermont on October 2, 1950, to Thomas H. Candon and Margaret Flynn Candon. He attended Christ the King School, and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland, graduating with the class of 1968. He was a member of the class of 1972 at the University of Notre Dame and the class of 1976 at Marquette University Law School.

Jack married Martha B. Pryser in Sturgis MI. He and Marty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2, 2023. Jack’s greatest pride and joy was their son Patrick

Coming from a long line of Candon politicians in Vermont, Jack was honored to serve in the Vermont Legislature, from 1983 until 1988, with his father and cousins Pat and Mark Candon. He felt so much pride that he and his father were the first and still the only father/son team to serve at the same time in the House. He served with distinction on and chaired the boards of trustees of the University of Vermont and Vermont Public TV.

Jack practiced law in White River Junction and Norwich for 46 years. A skilled and respected practitioner, he also showed tremendous courtesy and kindness to many - exhibited often by a case of PBR, or a bottle of single malt appearing on the porch. When asked about these gifts, he would just smile with a twinkle in his eye.

We cannot talk about Jack without talking about his favorite avocation – that of Santa Claus. Over many years, he brought joy and belief in magic to thousands of children. He was known to remember their names, their ages, use sign language, and say Merry Christmas in many languages. He studied toy catalogs every year to make sure he was up on the latest trends, even to the point of being able to name most American Girl dolls.

Jack loved his family deeply. He idolized his brother, Tom, and adored his sister, Marcia. He was known as UJ to his nephews and nieces, and he treasured them and that nickname. His daughter-in-law Jamie and her sisters called him Poodle! His college roommates called him DJ. He cared deeply for his friends, many of them from over six decades. He remembered everyone’s birthday and did not forget to call them. The day before he died, he reminded Marty to wish his college roommate’s widow happy birthday because he would not be able to send her a message. He loved Hallmark Christmas Movies, fly-fishing, singing and to sit on the porch with his beloved dog Prancer at his side, a single malt scotch whiskey (“brown liquor”) in his hand, while gazing at the garden that he so loved.

Jack was predeceased by his parents and his nephew Thomas Leary. He is survived by his wife, Marty, son Patrick (Jamie Hayes), his brother Tom (Mary) and their children Tom (Samantha), Chris (Jennifer), Tim (Amy) and Elizabeth (David Bourbeau), his sister, Marcia Flanagan (Tom), and their son Casey (Sarah). He will be missed by Marty’s siblings Anne Leary, Jane Malloy, Charlie Pryser (Karen), Betsy Pryser and Cary Goodrich (Charlie), their children Annie Blanshard (Robert), Charles Leary (Allie), John, Mike (Sonya), and Pat Malloy, Emma and Ellie Pryser, Jimmy (JiaoJiao), Andrew (Kelly) and Peter (Maria Luisa) Goodrich, grand nephews and nieces Mae, Rosemary, Finn, Piper, Leta and Ellery Candon; Lila and Grace Bourbeau, Josie Flanagan, Lily, Connor and Harrison Malloy, Elizabeth, Thomas and Patrick Leary, and William and Charlotte Goodrich. His cousins Jay, Nancy, Mary Ellen, Mary, Mary Eva, Marguerite, Charles and Steven, and countless dear friends.

A funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held on Friday, December 15 at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Church in Hanover NH. We think Jack (Santa) would like those attending the funeral to wear a Santa tie, a scarf or pin. In lieu of flowers, we know Jack would appreciate donations to the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748.

 

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