John Francis Townsend

TOWNSEND, John Francis, 50 of Alpharetta, GA passed away suddenly on September 3, 2014 at his home. John was born on September 16, 1963 in Hartford, CT. He was the son of Douglas R. Townsend of the Villages, FL and the late Mary R. Townsend. John grew up in West Hartford, attending local schools and was a 1982 graduate of Conard High School and a 1987 graduate of Northeastern University. As a teen John was an accomplished cellist having been selected to play with the Connecticut All State Orchestra and the American Youth Symphony, which that year toured Germany and Austria. John s spent his career in the financial services industry having worked for First Data, Bank of America and GE Capital. His career brought him to settle in Alpharetta in 2004 after having spent years living in Omaha, NE and Philadelphia, PA. John could always be counted on to spend time with his family at Thanksgiving and especially at the annual July 4th gathering at his family s home in Rye Beach, NH. John was always in charge of the family fireworks display at the beach, and for his nephews it was a rite of passage to be included as one of his assistants . Uncle John will be sorely missed by his many nephews and nieces; Elizabeth, Reid, Paige, Hannah, Hallie, Steven, Sarah, Mark, Luke, Olivia, and grand-niece Lauren. At family gatherings he was always the one to look to for fun and games, but was always available for guidance or to lend an ear as well. John is also survived by his sister and brothers, Susan St. Amour of Portland, ME; Douglas Jr. and his wife Anne of West Hartford, CT; Peter and his wife Ann of Omaha, NE; and Robert of Fremont, OH. In addition to his mother, John was predeceased by his nephew, Neil St. Amour. Memorial contributions in John s memory may be made to the American Heart Association. A private family service is planned.