John Morawski of Londonderry, 1948-2026

In early August, John Morawski passed away from a quickly escalating health complication. John grew up in Greenfield, Mass., and had an affinity for the Northeast region. He loved Vermont, often mentioning that it is the best place in the world to live.

John resided in Manchester for many years, followed by Londonderry. Best described as a naturalist, John’s life was dedicated to the outdoors — from skiing in his younger days to teaching fly fishing through his business, Outdoors With John Morawski. His love of the outdoors brought him to vast and beautiful places such as Patagonia, Argentina, and to his favorite place outside of Vermont — Kodiak, Alaska. His years living in the Alaskan Bush were his fondest adventures.

As he grew older, John transitioned his outdoor activities to simply being in nature, as he did not wish to disturb or harm other species. He held a deep respect for Indigenous lifeways and value systems rooted in collective care and reciprocity. He recognized the interconnectedness of ecosystems and all living beings and was steadfast in finding ways to live in reciprocal relationships with the world around him. He dutifully fed the birds in his yard, foraged mushrooms and ramps for cooking, and creatively repurposed materials to minimize his environmental impact.

John’s home was always filled with books and music. He was a lifelong learner with endless curiosity about the natural world. Many phone calls with John, be it with his friends or family, were joyous updates about his recent encounters with birds, bears, deer, moose, beavers, or the occasional fisher cat. Most evenings he would swim in Lowell Lake or embark on a sunset drive. Of course, his phone was always equipped with apps to aid in identifying birds and trees on-the-go, though he would rarely need it. His musical taste was diverse, but he always maintained an affinity for Bob Marley and the Wailers, often retelling stories of attending their performances in his early days, as well as a love of Willie Nelson and Van Morrison’s discographies.

John was a deeply spiritual person who believed in karma and reincarnation. He maintained a lifelong meditation practice that started his mornings and concluded his nights. His daughter, Kiana, and her mother, Holly — a beloved friend of John — heard his meditation bells and chimes fill the home at least twice a day in Kiana’s childhood home. During a meditation on his deck just a few months before his passing, he opened his eyes to discover a bear looking back at him from only a few yards away. When John reflected on his yoga practice in his earlier days, he reminisced about his love for headstands and gratitude for the opportunity to meet Ram Dass, whose writings he followed for many decades.

Compassion was the core of John’s being. He had an earnestness that left an impression on whomever he encountered. He knew that family, friends, strangers, animals, plants, and fungi are integral parts of the networks sustaining us all. John was generous in spirit and eager to help others. He was a kind neighbor, always looking to show his appreciation. He was especially grateful to the Londonderry garage of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, led by his niece, whose team he would see working day and night during winter snowstorms to help keep Vermonters safe. John often visited them with pizzas as a token of his gratitude for their service and called them the “Road Warriors.” In turn, the team affectionately called him “Uncle John.”

John was an extraordinary dad who cherished his family. Since his youngest daughter, Kiana, planted roots in Rhode Island, John and Kiana would alternate trips visiting each other. During his Rhode Island trips, John loved exploring the beaches, bays, and rural parts of the state with her. During Kiana’s trips to Vermont, they would enjoy long car rides together exploring the state that he knew so well, and he would teach her about the streams, rivers and lakes.

John’s memory lives on through many loved ones: Holly Avlon, the mother of his youngest daughter and beloved friend for many decades; his daughters Kiana Avlon and Ginger Morawski; and the extended Avlon family.

To honor John’s legacy, consider a donation to Vermont Public Radio, Neighborhood Connections, The Northshire Community Coalition or the Vermont Mycological Society.