Obituary of John Pott

John Pott passed away 1 day before his 99^th birthday. Widower of Beverley Pott, he was born Hans Joachim Pott in Germany in 1925.  His parents and mentally challenged older brother came to the United States when he was just a young boy.  He was predeceased by his parents, Marta (Pott) Gemeling, father and brother Helmuth Pott, along with their half- brother, Rolf Gemeling and his sister-in-law Dale Gemeling, (Beverley’s sister).  He was the widower of Beverley for many years.  He is survived by his daughter, Linda Reuber, Granddaughter, Krista Timken and her son Great Grandson Grayson, Grandson John Craig Reuber and his son Great Grandson John Carter Glenister.

His mother decided to move back to Germany when (Hans) John was only ten.  He ran away the day she boarded the boat back to Germany.  He survived on the streets of NYC for “quite a while”, eating from peddlers’ carts and sleeping in baby carriages left on porches.  He was later taken in as a run-away, where he lived under NY State care until he was 18 years old.  His Mother came back periodically during those years, after divorcing his father, to visit and then went back to Germany. 

Upon aging out of State care, it was suggested he join the Army, where he served honorably in Korea and earned his US Citizenship.  He later worked on a dairy farm in Broad Brook, CT.  He spent his weekends roller skating at the Hartford Skating Palace, where he met his wife to be, Beverley Durkin.  They began dating and learned she had a daughter.  They decided to elope, and he suddenly became the Dad of a five year old girl, Linda Lee Durkin.  He adopted her around the age of eight years old and they lived for many years in East Hartford, CT, before moving to Glastonbury.    Beverley passed away at the age of 52 in 1982.  He was lost without his anchor and never remarried.

John worked for several local trucking companies over the years, as well as Central Paving. After retirement, he became active with the East Glastonbury Fish and Game Club (treasurer of the “Fox Club”) with his son in law, John Reuber.  They were like father and son, enjoying many hours of fishing and hunting adventures, until his son-in-law’s passing a few years ago.

John became very active with Teamster Retirees’ Local 671 and served many years as President, until he decided to hang up the gavel.  He was very proud of his Teamster affiliation and the other members.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, followed by a graveside service at Neipsic Cemetery on Neipsic Road, Glastonbury. Friends may call on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.