John Hastings Paine, 75, died suddenly at his home in Charles Town, WV on May 10, 2023.

Born July 17, 1947 in London, England, John was the adopted child of George and Kathleen Deller Paine. The family lived in Sierra Leone before settling in John's beloved childhood home of Otford, Kent.

John's lifelong passion for cars led to an apprenticeship as an auto mechanic but, a born salesman, he quickly switched to sales, eventually opening his own auto parts store in Ottawa, Canada. On moving to the Washington, DC area in the 1970s, he took a sales rep position with Worldwide Automotive, where he worked until declining vision forced his retirement in 2005. Traveling extensively across North, Central and South America, connecting with customers on a personal level was always John's greatest joy.

In many ways he recreated English village life in Charles Town, where he was known by neighbors and merchants for his cheerful friendliness and old-fashioned manners. A regular habitué of the American Legion, he was proud to be the only foreign Friend of the Legion, and happily volunteered for Dunk the Redcoat at their Fourth of July fundraisers. A raconteur whose stories became more elaborate over the years, he could be found sitting at a bar spinning yarns about his boyhood in Otford, or telling pirate tales at the library's story hour.

John was best known for his kindness and extraordinary generosity towards his friends. Even as his eyesight deteriorated due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, he never complained and resolutely focused on what he considered to be the many blessings in his life, most especially his family, his many friends, and his community in Charles Town.

John is survived by sons Andrew Paine and David Paine, daughter-in-law Jennifer Spier (Jeffrey), beloved granddaughters Caidence Paine and Leah Paine, grandson Cyrus Paine, and newest granddaughter Eva Paine. John believed himself to be an only child until the last months of his life, when he was thrilled to discover half-siblings Sue Hopper (Martin) and Chris Dingley (Pam). Their joyful reunion occurred just days before his death, and John left this world happily anticipating years of deepening relationships with his new family. He is also survived by numerous devoted friends and his four ex-wives.

Donations in John's memory may be made to the Wilmer Eye Clinic where his RP was monitored. Please designate donations to support the work of Dr. Peter Campochiaro's research, for "John Paine's friends fund". https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/charitable-giving/