John Wallace Obituary

John (Jack) M. Wallace, 95, died peacefully on February 4. Born on August 21, 1930, in Hartford, Connecticut, he spent most of his life in the town of Wethersfield, which he proudly called home.

John was born to John M. Wallace and Marguerite (Ecker) Wallace. His father passed away unexpectedly before his birth, and his older sister, Jayne, also predeceased him. After the death of his mother when he was still a toddler, John was raised by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Harriet (Diehm) Ecker, who provided him with a stable and loving home.

He grew up in Wethersfield and graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1948. While still a student, he joined the Connecticut National Guard. During the Korean conflict, his unit, the 43rd Division, was federalized and sent to Germany, where John served for several years, reflecting a strong sense of duty that remained a constant throughout his life.

After returning home, John began what would become a forty-year career with the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company. He rose steadily through the organization and ultimately retired as Senior Vice President of Operations. He was a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University, and his professional life was marked by reliability, careful judgment, and a deep commitment to the institution he served.

John spent most of his life in Wethersfield, where he and his wife raised their family and built enduring ties within the community. He had a lifelong fascination with trains that began in childhood, when local conductors allowed him to ride along. That early spark grew into a lasting passion: John became an accomplished photographer, especially of trains, and his photographs were published in several rail-related publications.

He was also a licensed pilot and a member of the Charter Oak Flying Club. Flying was both a passion and a practical skill-he piloted solo flights on official bank business and, on more personal adventures, flew his family on memorable trips, including to Glacier National Park.

After retiring, John fulfilled a long-held dream by bicycling across North America, traveling from Vancouver, British Columbia, to East Burke, Vermont, where he maintained a summer home. He also deeply enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hiking, with memorable journeys in the Swiss Alps, Montana, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. These pursuits reflected his curiosity, endurance, and quiet appreciation for the natural world.

John was a devoted member of the First Church of Christ congregation in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he was active for about seven decades, including serving for a number of years as a Sunday school teacher.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret (Rines) Wallace; his son, David G. Wallace; his daughter, Rebecca Wallace; and his grandsons, Nathan Wallace and Matthew Wallace.

A graveside memorial service is planned for the spring; details will be announced at a later date.