WILMINGTON — John Brophy LaFontaine passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the age of 86. John, the oldest of four, was born on June 22, 1935, in Norwich, CT to the late Walter and Helen LaFontaine. John’s great admiration for his grandfather, Dr. Edward Brophy, who immigrated from Ireland, and his grandmother, Hilda Anderson Brophy who immigrated from Sweden, offered a foundation that he spoke of often and proudly. John’s father, a banker, and his mother, an elementary school teacher and school principal, set high standards for John. His uncle, Henry LaFontaine, taught him the love of culture, classical music, and piano. John was a proud graduate of The Norwich Free Academy. As a youth, John loved LIttle League baseball, tennis and his paper route. He went to Holy Cross College to study Chemistry and History and was Captain of his high school and college tennis teams. He met his wife, Frances Hosley, of Greensboro, NC in New York City where they each had an apartment on the Upper West Side and were married on August 22, 1959 for 58 treasured years.
John’s career began with Shell Chemical Company in New York City, moving him to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and back to New York City/New Jersey/CT between 1957 – 1975. He later took a job with Capital City Products (CCP), and he, Fran, and their two girls moved from Darien, CT to Columbus OH with their beloved golden retriever, Teddy. In 1995, when CCP became Karlshamn’s USA, John retired at the age of 55 as part owner, President and CEO. Outside of work, John was an avid tennis player, platform tennis player, golfer, and modest pianist. He was a member of Coastal Seniors, Southern Seniors, and The 200 (National) Club. He and Fran retired to Wilmington, NC to enjoy their love of the beach, gardening, golf, and were members of both Porters Neck Country Club and The Surf Club. Retirement was a launching pad to their many future travels around the world, collecting art and antiques. John opened his home for all to visit, sit on the dock, watch the egrets, and enjoy a hamburger and a scotch. His love for family was like no other. He was lovingly called “Grappa,” every grandchild was his “favorite,” and his two girls were the treasure of his life.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Frances and brother, Peter. He is survived by: his daughters, Lynne Trotta (Richard) of Wilmington, NC and Mary Ollila (David) of Chapel Hill, NC; grandchildren, Stephanie (Reno) Bamford, residing in Italy, John (Lindsay) Trotta of John’s Island, SC, Greg Trotta of Raleigh, NC, Meagan Trotta of Charleston, SC, Elizabeth Ollila of College Park, MD, and Francine Ollila of Boone, NC; four great grandchildren, Reno IV, Cade, Hase, and Josephine; and two sisters, Suzanne Thrasher and Lisa LaFontaine.
A memorial mass will be held on December 18, 2021 at 2 PM, at St Therese Catholic Church, 209 South Lumina Ave, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Anchor Church’s local outreach project, offering extremely affordable downtown housing for the homeless. The Anchor Church, P.O Box 1642, Wilmington, N.C. 28402.
