Originally from East Haven CT, John Highsmith of Valrico, Florida passed away at Brandon Regional Hospital on Monday, October 11th, 2021.

John was the second youngest in a family of eight children. John was a strong-willed person who was determined to make something of his life. His trade was in carpentry and it wasn't until he moved to Florida in the late 1990s he made his mark. He started his own business and worked with several real estate companies to be their contractor to repair or update any structures for resale. His quality of work was known in many areas and his business flourished allowing him to purchase a home in Tampa, Florida. His biggest accomplishment was to be one of the subcontractors working on the Walt Disney Celebration Village.

John was very straightforward with his opinions and you always knew where you stood with him. John very much wanted to make a difference in the lives of his nieces and nephews by giving educational gifts to them when they were young. He wanted to help them as they were growing up. He understood knowledge as a resource would give them an advantage in life. John was proud of them as they grew up to be young adults and he knew his contribution helped. His sarcastic sense of humor will be missed along with his booming laugh. He will be missed by his family and close friends but the many stories about him will never fade.

He leaves behind his loving mother, Ernestine Highsmith; brother Willie (Linda) Highsmith Jr., brother Bobby Highsmith, brother Donnell (Carlis) Highsmith, sister, Linda Highsmith, sister Carol Highsmith, sister Barbara Lumpkin and brother David (Gretchen) Highsmith. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews, Zulema Highsmith, Nicholl Montgomery, Tamara (Museveni) Akanno, Jason Lumpkin, Justin Montgomery, Alexandria Highsmith, Bethanie Highsmith, Marquies Highsmith and Maurice Highsmith.

He was predeceased by his father Willie James Highsmith, Sr.

Funeral service for John will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St., New Haven, CT 06511. Following the funeral service, he will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella Grasso Boulevard, New Haven, CT 06519. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls club of New Haven: ( https://bgcnewhaven.org/ ) or St. Jude's Hospital ( https://www.stjude.org/donate ).