John Collins Early ’40

Following a prolonged illness, John Early died Dec. 4, 1998, at Norwalk [Conn.] Hospital. Several classmates attended his memorial service. John prepared at Hotchkiss and graduated with honors in politics. He was captain of the skeet shooting team, on the Daily Princetonian board, and a member of Charter Club. During WWII, he served in Europe as an artillery officer and won the Bronze Star. He later earned a law degree from Harvard and became a partner of the NYC firm McCanliss and Early.

John was an enthusiastic and dedicated Princetonian and classmate. He was treasurer of our 10th reunion, class president (1955-60), and on our class council, where his advice and suggestions were greatly valued. He was also vestryman of his church and a Kent Place School trustee. John is survived by three daughters and seven grandchildren. We forward them our deep sympathy on the loss of this devoted father and Princetonian.

Perhaps John himself best expressed his own sturdy spirit in his 50th Year Report: "'So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan...thou go not, like the quarry slave at night, scourged to the dungeon, but sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust.' -- W.C. Bryant. Beat Yale." Farewell, old friend. '40 will miss you and not forget you.

The Class of 1940