John David Scheib

John David Scheib, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 5, 2026, in Hartford, Connecticut. Born on June 17, 1937, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to John Scheib, Jr., and Edna Heffner Scheib, he graduated from Reading High School in 1955. He served in the United States Air Force as a firefighter on the island of Guam and later studied Fire Protection Engineering at Oklahoma State University. This foundation launched a distinguished career at Industrial Risk Insurers, where he played a key role in expanding the company’s international operations.

John met Beatrice Mannion in the late 1960s. They married on August 11, 1968, in Queens, New York, and settled first in West Sayville on Long Island before moving to West Hartford, Connecticut, to be near IRI’s headquarters. In 1974, the family lived for three years in Brussels, Belgium, while John oversaw the company’s European offices, an experience that allowed them to travel extensively across the continent. Upon returning to West Hartford in 1977, they became active members of St. Thomas the Apostle parish. A lifelong learner, John earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Hartford while continuing his international work, which involved frequent travel that he loved sharing with his family. He and Beatrice raised their children with a spirit of adventure, enjoying family camping trips, alpine skiing as members of the Hartford Ski Club—where he served as president—and supporting their children’s and grandchildren’s many pursuits with unwavering encouragement.

John’s passions extended to classic cars. He inherited a 1932 Buick 57-S from his father, lovingly restored it after years in storage, and became an active member of the Buick Club of America, Yankee Chapter. He helped organize both local and national events and expanded his collection to include a 1968 Riviera and two 1990 Reattas.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Beatrice Mannion Scheib; his sister, Linda Lyzakowski of Kansas City, Missouri; his children, John D. Scheib, Jr. and his wife Cynthia Kaplan of South Windsor, Connecticut, and Catherine Scheib Skarzynski and her husband Andrew John Skarzynski of West Hartford, Connecticut; and his grandchildren, Caitlin Aine Skarzynski, Connor John Skarzynski, Alexandra Marie Scheib, Jordan Elizabeth Murdy, and Augustus John Murdy.