John Kendrick, of Colchester, passed away on July 12, 2025, at Middlesex Hospital Following a brief illness. He was 78 years old.

John was born on September 14, 1946, in El Paso, Texas, the son of the late Joe and Dorothy (Winfrey) Kendrick. He attended schools in El Paso, TX, and Santa Fe, NM. After high school, he started his own refrigeration business in Santa Fe but eventually moved to Connecticut, where he held several jobs in the Hartford/Windsor area before securing a position as an HVAC mechanic at Newington Children's Hospital. He later continued his career at Hartford Hospital, from which he retired.

While working at Newington Children's Hospital, John met the love of his life, Diane Jarboe. It was love at first sight, and the couple married soon after, on October 25, 1980. They eventually settled in Colchester, where they built their home and raised their son, Kevin.

John was gifted with incredible mechanical talent and had the ability to fix almost anything. In his free time, he loved working in the garage, basement, or yard. He enjoyed traveling, bonfires with friends, listening to good music, and buying old musical instruments to repair and learn to play.

He will be remembered as a loving family man, a hard worker, and someone always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need of mechanical help. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Diane; his son, Kevin Kendrick of Colchester; and their two dogs, Karlee and Hailey. He also leaves behind brothers-in-law and their spouses: Tom Jarboe of Meriden, Jim (Barbara) Jarboe of Putnam, and Gary (Amy) Jarboe of Plainville; nieces and nephews: Robert Bushnell lll Robin Gardner, Jim and Justin Jarboe, Meghan Gaignard, and Erik Jarboe; as well as several great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father- and mother-in-law, Thomas and Dorothy Jarboe.

Calling hours will be on July 26, 2025 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial service at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd, Colchester, CT. Donations in John's memory may be made to benefit Vests for CT State Police K9 dogs, https://portal.CT, gov/DESPP/Division-of-State-Police/K9-Unit/Your-Help-Is-Needed or St. Judes Hospital. For online condolences or to share a story of John for his family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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