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Memories & Candles

“Dear Family of John: I am sorry for your sudden loss of son, husband, father, brother. I am a cousin of yours. John's grandmother (Mabel) and my...Read More »
1 of 44 | Posted by: Cathy Chiron Coyle - Burlington, CT

“Dear Jack and family.We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. ”
2 of 44 | Posted by: Kathy and Tom Mettling - CT

“Eleanor & John, So sorry to hear of your son John's passing. He was taken away much too soon. My condolences and sympathy go out to all the family....Read More »
3 of 44 | Posted by: Ann Holden Lyons - Plainville, CT

“Jack, Eleanor & Family.... I was very sad to here of the passing of your son John. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.My Deepest...Read More »
4 of 44 | Posted by: Mary LeBlanc - Torrington, CT

“Dear Jack, Eleanor & Family, So sorry to hear of John. I remember him from our kid years on the east side. Always a smile and a joke to keep you...Read More »
5 of 44 | Posted by: Marshall Cohen - Torrington, CT

“Jack, Eleanor & Family.... Please accept my heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your beloved son. You will be in my heart and prayers. I'm so...Read More »
6 of 44 | Posted by: Marilyn Relva-Papcun - Torrington, CT

“Jack, Eleanor & Family.... We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Our hearts and prayers are wtih you. Your REALTOR family ”
7 of 44 | Posted by: Litchfield County Board of REALTORS - CT

“Dear Jim and Patty, Jean, Joan, and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Sincerely, Kathy...Read More »
8 of 44 | Posted by: katheryn lestinsky-fabiaschi - CT

“Am deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. We are cousins- my mother is Eleanor's aunt. John and I attended THS together. I remember taking an...Read More »
9 of 44 | Posted by: Dave Ferry - Murrysville, PA

“We are deeply saddened by your loss. In the short time we knew John, there was one thing that definitely came across; how much he loved his family. ...Read More »
10 of 44 | Posted by: Teresa and Justin Shuma - VA

“Dear Sophia, Claudia and Gabby, I am so sorry for your loss. I will never forget how much fun my husband had when he and John talked about their...Read More »
11 of 44 | Posted by: Margit Delbridge - Chesapeake, VA

“Dear Mr. & Mrs. Potter and Family, Words cannot express the sorrow that I am feeling for your family. I am one of Jean's co-workers. I did not...Read More »
12 of 44 | Posted by: Patty Thomas - Ludlow, MA

“Sofia I am so sorry for your sudden lost of John. It is very hard but I can attest that the memories will help to strengthen you, as well as, your...Read More »
13 of 44 | Posted by: Arlene Anderson - Smithfield, VA

“Dear Sophia, Claudia & Gabby, It is heartwarming to read all the wonderful ways your husband and father touched so many lives. His talk "sessions"...Read More »
14 of 44 | Posted by: The Jenkins Family - VA

“Dear Gabby and Mrs Potter, I am so very sorry for your tragic, untimely loss. I knew John much too briefly, but in that time, I came to regard...Read More »
15 of 44 | Posted by: Pavel Ilyashov - Norfolk, VA

“Sofia, Gabby, and Claudia- I knew John as Gabriela and Claudia's Dad primarily. Few Dad's take the role so seriously. John was strict,loving, and...Read More »
16 of 44 | Posted by: Laura - chesapeake, VA

“I am very saddened when I think about not seeing John's smiling face or hearing his unique brand of humor. Since the early days in Bay Youth...Read More »
17 of 44 | Posted by: ann gonzalez - chesapeake, VA

“Mr. Potter is great man that loves his family more than anything else in the world. Every time that I spoek to him he would have a story to tell me...Read More »
18 of 44 | Posted by: Ray Navarro - Chesapeake, VA

“John, You will be greatly missed. You were one in a million. Your family will be in my prayers. ”
19 of 44 | Posted by: Dianna Dmepsey - Chesapeake, VA

“Sofia & Girls, Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to you, during your time of such great loss. Our prayers are with you. Geoff & Tita Goeins ”
20 of 44 | Posted by: Geoff & Tita Goeins - Hampton, VA

“Mrs. Potter, Claudia, Gabby & Heather, We are sorry to hear of Mr. Potter's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you...Read More »
21 of 44 | Posted by: Mr. & Mrs. Paul McCormic, Melissa & Brianna McCormic - VA

“It is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; 'tis rather an embrio state, a...Read More »
22 of 44 | Posted by: John & Joy - Chesapeake, VA

“Sofia, I was very sorry to hear of your loss, you have my deepest sympathies. I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. ”
23 of 44 | Posted by: Scott Wilson - Owatonna, MN

“Mrs. Potter and Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to bless and comfort you as you deal with the loss of your husband,...Read More »
24 of 44 | Posted by: Stephanie P. Galloway - Suffolk, VA

“Whenever I needed someone to talk to You were always there. My eyes filled with tears, my heart filled with pain, and You were always there. ...Read More »
25 of 44 | Posted by: Patrice,Sean,Paola and Victoria - VA

“I am so sad to hear this news. I saw John a little over a month ago at the online class orientation for Gabby and Brett. Of course he couldn't say...Read More »
26 of 44 | Posted by: Teresa Akers - Chesapeake, VA

“Heather, Claudia, Gabby and Sophia - I am sorry for the loss your family has suffered this week. No words I may offer could make this week easier...Read More »
27 of 44 | Posted by: Kim Fancher Kelley - MA

“Mrs. Potter and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. ”
28 of 44 | Posted by: Triva Day - Chesapeake, VA

“Please accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of your husband and father, John. We have very fond memories of him from St. Marys. He was always...Read More »
29 of 44 | Posted by: Jennie and Wayne Tillmann - VA

“Dear Potter family, I was simply shocked when I answered the phone and heard the news. I saw John last when he came to file taxes. While he was...Read More »
30 of 44 | Posted by: Holly Almasian - Norfolk, VA

“Sophia, Claudia and Gabby, Keith and I were heartbroken when we heard of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. We...Read More »
31 of 44 | Posted by: Keith and Grace Carlson - VA

“Sofia, Gabby, & Claudia - We are saddened beyond words to hear of John's sudden passing; you, Heather, and the extended Potter family have our...Read More »
32 of 44 | Posted by: The Keppler Family - Chesapeake, VA

“Sofia, I'm very sorry to hear about your husband. You are in my prayers. I pray that God would comfort you during your time of loss. ”
33 of 44 | Posted by: Kelly Diehl - Chesapeake, VA

“Sofia, I was so sorry to hear about your husband. We miss you at school and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort...Read More »
34 of 44 | Posted by: Lisa Wallace - Chesapeake, VA

“My family and I are deeply saddened at the passing of Mr. Potter. Your family is in our prayers. On behalf of the Virginia Beach Chamber Orchestra,...Read More »
35 of 44 | Posted by: Jim Edwards - Chesapeake, VA

“Sofia, Claudia, Gabby, Moma Elena - I would take this burden from you if I could, but I cannot. John was blessing to so many and some part of him...Read More »
36 of 44 | Posted by: Susan Rees Rosquist - Chesapeake, VA

“To Gabby and her family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your Dad was such a positive and joyful supporter of your musical interests. My...Read More »
37 of 44 | Posted by: Helen Martell - Norfolk, VA

“Sofia, Lisa, Joey, Chris and I each extend our most sincere condolences to you and the girls on the loss of John, a kind and loving husband, and...Read More »
38 of 44 | Posted by: Joe, Lisa, Joey & Christopher Shannon - VA

“Our family is deeply sorry for the loss of John. He always had a bright smile and a loving heart. Last I saw John was at the Youth mass at...Read More »
39 of 44 | Posted by: Rachel Shaver - chesapeake, VA

“No words can describe the events of this week. We are shocked and saddened by the swift removal of John from our lives. Our prayers are with you. All...Read More »
40 of 44 | Posted by: The Kiddys - Chesapeake, VA

“You will be kept in our thoughts and close to our hearts, Always. John and Lisa ”
41 of 44 | Posted by: John and Lisa Winn - Chesapeake, VA

“Sophia - Claudia, & Gabriel, My heart goes out to you - at a time like this I can only offer you the hope by using the words from the Holy Scripture ...Read More »
42 of 44 | Posted by: Linda Evans - Portsmouth, VA

“There are no words to express how deeply saddened we are for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our sincerest...Read More »
43 of 44 | Posted by: Mrs - chesapeake, VA

“I went to mass today at St Paul's. When Father David offered the mass for John, it just broke my heart to hear of his passing. After mass, I asked my...Read More »
44 of 44 | Posted by: Naida Wyckoff - Chesapeake, VA


CPO John Edward Potter, III, USN (Ret), 57, of the 700 block of Shell Road, Chesapeake, VA, passed away October 12, 2009, in Newburgh, NY. A native of Torrington, CT, he was a retired Chief Petty Officer with the United States Navy, and was a master woodworking craftsman. He is survived by his beloved wife of 24 years, Sofia Escobar Potter; three daughters, Heather Potter of Connecticut, Claudia Potter and Gabriela Potter, both of Chesapeake, VA; his parents, John and Eleanor Parsons Potter of Torrington, CT; three sisters, Janice McConnell, Jean Tyburski and Joan Thibault; three brothers, Jeffrey Potter of Boston, MA, James and Jay Potter, both of Connecticut; and host of nieces, nephews and close friends. A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bowers Hill with Rev. Fr. Michael G. Boehling officiating. The burial with follow at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends at Snellings Funeral Home, George Washington Highway Chapel Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service starting at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Governor's School for the Arts, c/o ODU, Norfolk, VA 23529-0556. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com.