John Fifield - entrepreneur, beloved husband and father, and spirited conversationalist - died on June 17, 2020 peacefully and at home. He was known for his hearty laugh, his quick wit, his love of good design, and his deep and varied intellectual pursuits.

John was born to Jeannette Eleanor MacDonald and James Edward Fifield in West Hartford, CT on April 12, 1947. He grew up in Rowayton, CT and graduated from the great class of 1965 at The Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. He attended Yale University where he sang with the Dukesmen until his sense of duty called him to the United States Marine Corps where he served in Vietnam and achieved the rank of first lieutenant. Upon return to civilian life, John attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received both a degree in Urban Planning and a masters from the Sloane School of Management with a concentration in finance.

John's professional career focused on helping businesses grow and determine their strategic trajectory. He started his career with Citibank, establishing a new small business loan program. After leaving Citibank John became a management consultant at Arthur D. Little and later founded his own consulting firm, Venture Enterprises. John's passion for small businesses and creating the conditions to help them thrive occupied him to the end of his life.

John married Jill Hackett in 1968 and they had two children, Anne and Matthew. Then in 1985, John married Cynthia J. Williams and together they built a strong sense of community in the historic district of Salem, and enjoyed good conversation, sailing, gardening, and exploring the world together until his death.

John's love for urban renewal and infrastructure planning led to numerous interesting projects throughout his life. And his strong sense of civic engagement led him to serve with a number of community organizations: John was a Senior Warden at Grace Church, Salem, an Advisory Board member of the Berkshire School, and a director for the Pioneer Institute of Public Policy Research in Boston.

John will be remembered most for his infectious laugh, his Yankee sensibility, and his constant encouragement to friends and family to explore life on their own terms.

John was preceded in death by his brother William Edward Fifield. He is survived by his wife Cynthia J. Williams, his first wife Jill Hackett, their children Anne and Matthew, and by his three grandchildren James, Mary, and Jasper, children of Matthew and his wife Elizabeth Norwood. John is also survived by his step-niece Houston McGuirk and his nephew Alex Fifield. John will be dearly missed by all these people and many more.

Arrangments: Services were held for the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970.