John Hart Fish of Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts died unexpectedly at home on Nov. 16, 2016. He was 24 years of age.

Born in Salem, Massachusetts, he was the son of Margaret B. Thompson of Manchester by the Sea and Mark G. Fish of St. Petersburg, Florida. John was raised in Hamilton-Wenham, Massachusetts and Manchester by the Sea. John attended the Brookwood School, Manchester High School, and graduated from Oxford Academy in Westbrook, Connecticut. He continued his studies at several schools of higher education to pursue a degree in computer engineering.

John possessed a keen mind, informed opinions, and an intense level of intellectual curiosity. As a boy, John enjoyed rock climbing and camping at Camp Kieve in Damariscotta, Maine. In his teen years, he became a compassionate presence during his volunteer work as a mentor for abused children at the Star House home in Beverly, Massachusetts. He also volunteered his time as a math and computer technology tutor to underprivileged children in Salem.

More recently, he took great joy in long hikes in the woods and on the beaches of New England with his beloved dogs. Frequent visits to his family’s home in Southport, Maine were filled with peaceful days spent on the water in the company of close friends and relatives. John had a lifelong passion for music and had worked with MASS EDMC in Allston, Massachusetts. His bright smile and boundless enthusiasm was legendary; his support of others in need, with a kind word or open arms, was truly remarkable. A loving and loyal son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, John will be missed by all who had the honor and pleasure of knowing him.

In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by a brother, Timothy W. Fish of Vallejo, California; his maternal grandparents, William F. and Juliana W. Thompson of Naples, Florida; his aunt, Alexandra Thompson and her husband, Joe Curtin of Toronto, Canada; uncles Donald Thompson of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Timothy Fish Sr. and his wife, Peg Melnik of Santa Rosa, California; cousins, Sophia Fish and Tucker Fish; several great aunts and great uncle; and his two fur children, Zoey and Mia.

His funeral service will be celebrated at the First Parish Church, Congregational, 10 Central Street, Manchester by the Sea, Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, Massachusetts on Tuesday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contributions may be made in his memory to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA or the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.