John P. Northington
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John Porter Northington, 63, of New York City and Cummington, MA, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Cummington on Saturday, January 16th. John was born on June 6, 1957 in Little Rock, AR, the son of the late Gene A. and Peggy (Porter) Northington.
John grew up in Colombia, Pakistan and Malaysia, where his father worked for Exxon. He earned his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Economics at the University of Michigan and his master's degree in International Economics and Chinese Studies at The Johns Hopkins School of International Affairs. During the early 1980's John wrote for Columbia University Press and Eurasia Press on Asia area topics, organized bicycle tours of China, and filmed the war in Afghanistan for WNBC, WPIX and PBS. In 1983, he joined Marine Midland Bank where he met his future wife Eileen. He remained with the bank after its acquisition by HSBC for a 35-year career, serving for a period in Hong Kong and most recently as a Senior Vice President in its New York office.
Throughout his lifetime John pursued his love for travel, off the beaten track and otherwise. His friendships spanned many countries, and he was known for his witty letters and trenchant commentary. He enjoyed a good debate, an ice-cold martini, and a bit of day trading. He was known as a generous host and a talented and enthusiastic cook of large quantities of food. But most of all he loved his family and Cumworth Farm where he spent his last several years tending his blueberries.
He leaves his cherished wife of 30 years, Eileen McColgan, sons John Darby and Edward Aidan Northington, sister Jan Northington, father-in-law, Edward McColgan, sisters-in-law Maureen McColgan Brown and Bridget McColgan, brothers-in-law Sean (Aida), Matthew (Barbara), Daniel (Michele) and Michael (Mia) McColgan and their families, his beloved uncle Col. Allan Burke, Cousin Nora Burke and her daughters Patricia and Robertta.
A celebration of his life will be held later in the year when it is safe to gather.
Ahearn Funeral Home
(413)587-0044