John Spineti Obituary

Many memories of John....and Linda...from many years. Two gangly fig trees and a few figs, over many years. All good memories.

Dear Linda: I am so sad to hear of John's death. I can't thank you enough for sharing the news with me. As you well know, John was a dear, kind man, and he always made me feel good whenever I saw him or thought of him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Amy, Farns (and Isaac & Hilda)

Linda, we are so sorry for the loss of John. We loved seeing and talking with him when we periodically went to the Florence Farmers Market. What a precious, infectious smile he had. It certainly has been decades since we´ve seen you, but remember our early friendship. May God console you. And may John rest in God´s peace.
Fondly,
George and Mary Cay Andrikidis

John was my chemistry professor in the late 70's. John became a mentor to me and encouraged me to get a BS degree in engineering or chemistry.
When john saw I was not committing to the idea. He asked what was wrong? I explained I did not have a lot of money and did not know if could transfer to a 4 year college. I did not even know where I would go. As you can imagine John said your going to UMass. He called his friend, the dean of the engineering department, and arranged a meeting the next day. John drove me to meet with the Dean and helped convince the dean I was a good candidate for engineering school. That was John! Always willing to help anyone! That started a long friendship with John and Linda.

When I was at college, we would meet at the farmers market. Between semesters I would help John load up for the farmers market. Often we would have dinner and just talk for hours on end about anything. John and Linda introduced to different foods and cultures. Indian food was a favorite.

John grew organic vegetables with his hands but he also used his heart to mold and shape people. Linda you and John molded me to who I am today. Every year since 2010 I have hosted/ mentored engineering students through summer internships. A quarter of them we end up hiring. I always try to encourage interns to try something different, find their passion and have fun. Be the best at what ever they choose to do.

I am for ever thankful for our friendship and love of life!
Keep planting seeds John!
I will try to mentor as many people as I can.

Your friend
Paul Zanolli

I didnt know John that well as I was just a young child (daughter) of John´s friend Frank, (sold maple syrup) who always had the parking spot directly across from John every Saturday for years. I knew my dad thought very highly of John and considered him a good friend and fine honest man, therefore so did I. I´m saddened to hear of this loss to the family (and many Farmers Market sellers and buyers) My deepest sympathies and hugs for all. Suzanne

John I love you! You are the absolute best of what it means to be a human being and a person of service. You and Linda make a beautiful team. I used to love gabbing with you at the Farmers Market. Both of us are big talkers, but you are more a raconteur ! And Linda also is a great story teller.
Linda, I feel for your loss. Some of my words are in the present- I believe from the deepest part of me that John is with us right now, smiling on us. Good night John.
Jim. Northampton
8:11pm December 24, 2023

John is a friend of mine and we were fellow farmer vendors in the 1980's when he and David were running the Amherst Farmers Market--John in the #1 slot where he belonged and belongs. Although I am currently living in California, John "lives' with me here also. I was fortunate to obtain 2 fig cuttings from him a couple of years ago, the Adriatic Purple and the Adriatic White.
These varieties were brought to the USA by his immigrant father in 1920. The Spineti trees are 4 feet high, growing in my yard. You are not gone, John.

The world lost a gentleman and a scholar.... With numerous doctorate's under his belt John had a greater understanding of science and mathematics than most people. With his love of preserving the history of Agawam/Feeding Hills, he was a wealth of knowledge. His love of people, and sharing stories was incredible and entertaining. He also went the extra mile, and spent the extra money to do what he could to help small businesses. An absolute purist when it came to organic farming, he would never settle or cut corners or cost - if it wasn´t 100% , it wasn´t good enough. From the fig trees, rubber trees, citronellas and flowering maples....to the fingerling potatoes, peas, radishes, and haricot vert beans he had a knack for the unusual. I learned a lot from John over the years, and I´m sure he´s farming with reunited friends in heaven

I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing. My dad was one of his professors at UMass, and would take me down to the Farmer's Market when it first started (and for years afterwards), and he'd talk to John and buy plants. I'll miss seeing John at the Farmer's Market. My condolences to you.

We always enjoyed our Saturday morning chats with John. We will miss his kind smile, plant tips and his fig trees! We will remember him fondly as we care for the purple heart and other plants he sold us.

His love for plants and farming was palpable and contagious. I will miss seeing his smile at the Northampton markets. Flowers are blooming in heaven!

We spent summers together a lot, when we were young.Still kept in touch ,and I will miss him greatly

I grew up with John as my neighbor. He gave me my 1st job making $0.50/hr. To this day, when I garden I think of John fondly. Linda, I am so very sorry for your losss.

John was the essence of the Amherst Farmers' Market. Service with a smile. He always had the most interesting plants and vegetables for sale, and if you weren't in a rush, he would tell you a story about each one!

You could see the care he had for his wares by the way he lovingly packaged each vegetable into your bag or container. He knew firsthand how much work goes into growing all that produce. A labor of love!

He was clearly a man who enjoyed life and loved what he was doing. He will be missed by many.

I send my condolences to his family and friends.

I have known John for over 50 years because Linda and I taught at the same school. I always thought of John as a warm teddy bear because he always enveloped with a nice hug when you went to say hello. A brighter, friendlier person would be hard to find. I am grateful I knew him.

Such a nice man. Condolences to his friends and family.

What a loss this world has had. An absolutely amazing, kind, fun, loving person. The memories we have are for forever. I´m sure you will be farming fig trees up there for us all waiting. We will all miss and love you John ~ The Machowski Family

I met John when he hired me in 1986 to run the Amherst Farmers' Market and in that time it's never been a "job," as John and I had super times and a great friendship. He was a mentor to me and as benevolent as they come! Two anecdotes I'll carry forever; one time a family drove up and stopped by his tent while the Market was running and yelled to him, "can you tell us how to get to UMass?" John strolled over, wryly looked back at me and then said to them, "study, study!" They laughed. John laughed. Everyone who heard it laughed. Another time, a customer told John that "he has a friend that grows the best tomatoes in the world!" John, looked at me and said, "how does he know?" 20 years on and this still puts a smile on my face. John, you will be missed but never forgotten! I thank you for the years....

Missing you Uncle John. A brilliant and kind man who lit up the world.

Sir Johnish
We think of you whenever have
Grouping, purple potatoes

Sir Johnish
We think of you whenever we have a Peruvian purple potato.
No one grows as good as potato as you do

Sir Johnish , We think of you whenever we have purple Peru Ian Potatoes.
Will miss you always.

no one grows as good a potato as you
Bye sir Johnish
Susan

So sorry to hear Linda, it was an honor to know John. Wishing peace on him and you.