LONGMEADOW - John L. Meunier, 86, of Longmeadow, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. John was born in North Adams on February 16, 1939, a beloved son of the late Louis A. and Laurea C. (Beaudreault) Meunier. John moved to Springfield and later settled in Longmeadow in 1969.
John was a jack of all trades (master of all, too). John proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Paratrooper, attaining the rank of Specialist Four. He graduated from Western New England College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering before working for IBM, where he designed and built one of the first robots. John was passionate about solving hard problems, and he continued to do so as the owner and operator of his engineering company, Springfield Digital Systems. John was the lead designer for projects with the Department of Defense, designing hardware and software for critical avionic systems.
John also excelled outside of Engineering. He owned and operated a popular bar and restaurant, The King of Clubs, and was revered by all for his dedication to customer service, only serving the highest quality food to his treasured clientele, his friends and family.
In his free time, John enjoyed participating in honorary jumps with the 82nd Airborne Division Association. John was able to travel all over the world, including Russia, Belarus, Poland, Spain, Israel, Chile, and South Africa, meeting and forging lasting friendships with other brave men and women paratroopers. When he wasn’t jumping out of planes, John was furthering his education. A life-long learner, John read voraciously. His favorite genres included Quantum Physics and Mathematics, which gave him a leg up in his Math Club. He studied Russian, taught himself how to sail, and continued to challenge himself for the pleasure of working out complicated problems. John instilled this love of learning into his children and grandchildren.
As hard as John worked, he also played. John was a consummate host, throwing incredibly fun soirees where he was often the life of the party, despite being, admittedly, an introvert. John always brought the entertainment, joking with friends, serving elaborate meals that he dreamed up, or eating bugs for the shock factor--all to a meticulously curated musical soundtrack that always kept the party rocking.
John leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 65 years, Jo-Ann M. (Kane) Meunier, with whom he built a beautiful and happy life. He also leaves his two loving children, Denise Miller and her husband, Edward, of Kentfield, CA and Franklin Meunier and his wife, Diane, of Somers, CT; his six cherished grandchildren, Jo-Ann Meunier and her wife, Saralina D'Amico, Kimberly Meunier and her fiancé, Austin Gray, Benjamin Miller and his wife, Katherine, Albert and James Miller, and Zachary Sarrasin; his two cherished great grandchildren, Frankie Marie Meunier and Natalie Sarrasin; his two sisters in law, Micheline Meunier and Mary Ellen Seiffert, both of Springfield; and his nephews and nieces notably Glenn Bradley, Sr. of Agawam, Lauria Malloy and her husband, Joseph, of Springfield and Annie Thibeault and her husband, Steven, of Palmer. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Rock A. Meunier; his sister, Jean Rossi; his brother in law, William Seiffert; and his dear niece, Cheri Bradley who was Called Home on August 5, 2024.
His family will receive friends on Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the service at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
