John Paul Spanburgh, age 85, passed away following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

John is survived by his loving wife, Linda (Rostron) Spanburgh; his children, John; Michael and his wife, Pam, and their sons, Zach and Ryan; Susan and her husband, Greg, and her children, Jack and Mattie; Patti and her fiancé, Robert, and her son, Dylan; and Mary and her husband, Patrick, and their daughters, Clara and Annie. He is also survived by his siblings, Kathy (Rudy) Suttle and Andrew (Carol) Spanburgh. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mary, Joan, Ellen, Helen and brothers Peter and Billy.

John was born in Amsterdam, New York, to John Spanburgh Sr. and Helen (Lenahan) Spanburgh. He spent much of his life in Manlius, New York, before recently relocating to South Carolina to be closer to his children and grandchildren. John and Linda were married for 63 years. Although they went to different high schools, they were set up on a blind date by mutual friends. Having no car, John borrowed a milk delivery truck to take Linda on their first date.

John was a humble and generous man of integrity who believed in giving back. His own journey was shaped by an anonymous act of kindness that helped make it possible for him to attend Albany College of Pharmacy. He never forgot that blessing and spent his life paying it forward, often quietly and anonymously.

John’s father worked three jobs to support their family. His mother Helen was a strong matriarch despite their struggles and the loss of four infant siblings to cystic fibrosis. That kind of resilience, grit, and sacrifice drove John to work hard. In high school he would leave St. Mary’s High School on the lunch hour to run over and serve at a soda counter at the local drugstore; with the perk of eating a free meal. John was a natural leader in high school, described in the yearbook as “witty, athletic and tall, big John conquers all” He was Senior Class President, a varsity basketball and baseball player, altar boy, and held the position of chairman of the Sodality Club, a community fellowship and charitable group, all 4 years of high school.

John opened Harvey’s Drugs in Manlius in 1972, initially with a partner, where he became much more than a pharmacist to the people he served. He semi-retired after 32 years of service and agreed to remain a face in the store for a few years after. He was known for making himself available at all hours, always willing to lend a hand, offer advice, or simply share a bit of witty banter with customers who came by to see “John.” Whether someone needed help with a serious matter or just a friendly conversation, John had a way of making people feel welcome and cared for. His generosity and commitment to others earned him the distinction of being named Manlius’s “Man of the Year.”

His dedication to service extended well beyond the pharmacy. John volunteered on the Manlius Zoning Board and delivered food for the Samaritan Center in Syracuse, served through his church, Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville, and volunteered as an EMT for the Town of Manlius. In each of these roles, he demonstrated the same quiet integrity, compassion, and willingness to help that defined his life.

Outside of his work, John was an avid tennis player and enjoyed golfing. After retiring, John and Linda loved traveling and experiencing new places abroad. They also spent time visiting their grandkids which brought them both a lot of joy.

John’s life was a testament to the power of kindness, generosity, and service to others. He understood that the greatest blessings are often those passed along without recognition or expectation of anything in return. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family in every way. His family, friends, customers, and community will remember his passion, not only for what he did, but for the way he made people feel and the example he set.

His legacy will be that you can always do more than you think.

John’s family and friends will gather on Saturday, October 17th, 11am at Palmetto Funeral Home In Fort- Mill for a Celebration of Life Service. 

The service will be live-streamed. Click here to view the livestream. 

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in John’s name to:

Alzheimer’s Association

Samaritan Center 

Via Health Partners