John Thomas Dillon III

John Thomas Dillon III of Vernon, CT died on February 24, 2024. John was born on July 2, 1964, in Meriden, Ct to John T. Dillon and Lois Dillon. He grew up on Orcutt Drive and Leete’s Island in Guilford with his sisters, Mary Beth Peatfield, Lauren Knight and Bevin Dillon. He graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall in Middletown, and Lehigh University. John was the kindest of souls. He spent every single day trying to make people’s lives better, easier, and more magical. As one friend said, “John just loved.” It would be an impossible feat to explain the many things John did to alleviate suffering wherever he saw it, fix problems, and keep peace. He loved whimsy and would do things for others simply because he thought any random weekday might be a great day to bring some joy and wonder, or maybe a chocolate mousse, to someone. From neighbors, friends, family, local business owners, and people he never met but had heard might need some help, John just made our lives better. He was not grandiose, but quietly generous with a constancy and steadiness that we all relied on. John worried about, defended and supported the people and animals he cared for, and if he knew you, he cared about you. He enjoyed talking to people out at his little free pantry, which he filled with not only food, but also school supplies, pumpkin pie making kits at thanksgiving, Easter and Valentines candy and smores fixings in the summer. When everyone was stressed by historical events, he made a Tik tok channel that was to be like a calming Mr Rogers for adults. He loved life, spoiled his dogs and family, enjoyed watching his eight bird feeders, planted hundreds of bulbs every fall in his garden, and had fun planning guerilla gardening dates. John worked as a software engineer at RTX (Ratheon/Pratt and Whitney) for many years. He also had a surprising number of other skills. He was a great chef, tentmaker, a master tailor and costumer, wood carver, carpenter, skilled handyman, and D and D dungeon master. He hosted Lego parties, Easter-egg hunts, cookie decorating parties, and pumpkin carving parties. During holidays he would cook pies for two days so that early that morning he could drive around delivering pies to friends and family all over the state. He also was a storyteller, especially stories with surprise endings, and sometimes a little shock value. He taught us to be prepared, that when there is a problem, you can learn how to fix it and that giving generously is not only a joy, but what life is about. John joined the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) in 1988 and was a proud member of Clan Kveldulf (a group of enthusiasts who specialized in Viking history). In his almost 40 years in the SCA, he became well known for his wide array of knowledge, for which he was recognized by being inducted in the Order of the Laurel, and for his great service, for which he was inducted into the Order of the Pelican. At Pennsic, the annual medieval festival that has more than 10,000 participants every year, he founded a camp group, McGuire’s Marauders, and encouraged shenanigans for which there are songs and stories told, even today. There will never be another man like John Dillon in the world again. John leaves behind his father John Thomas Dillon Jr., his wife Miela Gruber and stepchildren Cambryn Chiavaroli, Raven Gruber, Joseph Cooley, Lyra Gruber and Liam Gruber, his grandchildren Talullah Pitts and Juna Quick, his sisters Mary Beth Peatfield and her husband Bruce Peatfield, Lauren Knight and her husband Ryan Knight and Bevin Dillon, and his nieces and nephews Kristina Stearns and Drolma Dondrup, Jacquelyn and Cyril Higgins, Jessica Stearns, Reilly Corsaut and Colton Knight, and Grandnieces Gabrielle Carrico and Sonam Wangmo, his godchildren Raki and Dorothy, his Apprentices and Protégés, the Marauders, many other friends, and his beloved puppies Lucy, Lily and Blue. “Make Trouble, Don’t Get Caught.” At John’s request, there will be a memorial gathering and bon fire to share memories, stories, song and hugs on April 6 at 2:00 at 103 Union St Vernon, Ct 06066 in the gardens that John planted and loved. There will be food, and attendees are invited to bring a dish that reminds them of John’s wonderful cooking which he so often shared. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food pantry or shelter.