John A. Damm, previously of North Haven, CT, 78, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at home in Plymouth, Indiana surrounded by his family. Born on August 17, 1944, in Flushing Long Island, New York he was the son of John W. and Ethel (Kritzmacher) Damm. He attended Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden, CT with the class of 1962. John proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1972. On October 25, 1969 he married Paula Dell’Oro in North Haven, CT. After the military, John found his niche in driving a semitruck and working as a mechanic, working for Dell’Oro Oil, Supermarket Distributors, Hess Oil, and Anastasio Trucking. John and Paula resided in North Haven until their move to Indiana in October 1993.  Known as the “Quiet Giant” but also the “fierce protector” he was a man of few words that showed his love by his actions. Perhaps one of the greatest huggers that you would ever meet that taught all that knew him well how to listen, learn, be humble and to help those who were in need. John would often lend a hand to those that needed it when it came to working on their cars and construction projects. He loved watching Sci-Fi and anything that he could find on history. You could also find John behind a good book as he was an avid reader. He is survived by his wife Paula of Plymouth, IN; children: Donna (Adrian) Dognin of Terryville, CT; Lisa (Marty) Martin of LaPorte, IN; Jonathan (Deanna) Damm of Kalazmazoo, MI; Claudia (Darren) Broady of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren: Timothy Martin, Luke Dognin, Amy Dognin, Jaxson Damm, Dannaca Damm, Dean Broady; sister Carla (Chris) Kling of North Haven, CT. John is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Damm and sister Erna Damm. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 4-7 pm at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave. North Haven, CT 06473. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 12 pm in the funeral home.   Interment will take place in the All-Saints Cemetery, North Haven, CT with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Air Force and American Legion Post 2 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to: Veterans Strong Community Center, 111 N. Main Street, Bristol CT 06010.