John was living in Shelburne, Vt., when he died Aug. 29, 2011.

Coming from Montclair Academy, John majored in politics, joined Cannon Club, and was on the 150-pound crew at Princeton. His roommates included Bob Holzl, Joe Zink, and Johnny Ware. After service in the Army Field Artillery, he joined Mutual Benefit Insurance Co.

During his 43-year association with Mutual Benefit, John was first an employee and then an independent agent specializing in corporate and estate insurance. He was one of the company’s leading agents and a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, eventually becoming its president.

In 1944, John married Sally Seward, who died on their fifth anniversary. In 1951 he married Pat Youngman, who died after 50 years of marriage. Vermont was their second home before they retired there permanently in 1990.

A founding member of the Colchester (Vt.) Land Trust, he loved golf, tennis, boating, and skiing. The son of Alfrederick Ames 1905, John seldom missed a Princeton reunion. Classmates will always remember his constant smile.

John is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Haselton; son John Jr.; a sister, Elizabeth Hamilton; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Undergraduate Class of 1944