John William Spellman Jr.

John W. Spellman, Jr. of River Bend, NC died on August 9, 2021, at a hospice facility in Goldsboro. He was 95 years old. Jack, as he was known, was born in Cambridge, MA September 17, 1925, to Dr. John W. Spellman (the youngest brother of Francis Cardinal Spellman) and the former Helen E. Shoughrow.

Jack was a decorated veteran of World War II who fought with the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge. He met his future wife, Elizabeth Mary (Betty) Halbritter, in 1946 while they were both in college; he at Boston College; she at Pembroke College in Brown University. They married in 1949 in Pawtucket, RI and had seven children, six of whom survive him. Jack had a career in advertising and marketing in Boston and New York and was a vice president with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of America (later AXA Equitable Insurance) at the time of his retirement.

Betty and Jack moved to River Bend from Ridgefield, CT in 1977. Betty, who was active in residential real estate in New Bern for many years, predeceased him. In addition to his six children, Jack is survived by twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at St. Paul’s RC Church in New Bern, NC at 2 PM Friday, August 20 followed by interment at Greenleaf Memorial Park. Friends and family are invited to attend. Condolences may be addressed to Jack’s son Edward J. Spellman, 315 Plantation Drive, New Bern, NC 28562. Donations in Jack’s memory to St. Paul Roman Catholic Church: 3005 Country Club Rd, New Bern, NC 28562.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the Spellman family. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com.