John N. Shibley, of Old River Road, died Friday, August 26, 2022. John was born July 7, 1927, in Agawam, MA, the son of Joseph Shibley and Edna Shibley. 

John served in the United States Army. He owned and operated a very successful saddle and trailer sales business for many years, but he was best known and will be remembered as an auctioneer, a vocation he pursued for 71 of his 95 years. He brought a theatrical flair to his work as an auctioneer and bragged of his ability to auction for hours at a time without a break. He sold everything: cars, horses, tractors, trucks, cows, glass, furniture, saddles, houses, books, paintings, he even once sold a monkey. At the height of his career, he held special antique auctions at the Big E’s Better Living Center in West Springfield, attracting buyers from across the country. 

He loved horses and was an avid rider well into his 80’s. John had a lifelong affection for the American West and had a special feeling for the history of Native Americans. He took an avid and vocal interest in politics and world events, as anyone who ever sat at his kitchen table will tell you. 

On June 7, 1999, in Putney, VT, John married Sallie Johnson who survives. He is also survived by two sons, John and Wyatt Shibley; two stepsons, who he treated as his own, Curtis, and Nathaniel Poulin; one brother, Peter Shibley; and two grandsons, Noah and Daniel Shibley; his grandchildren, Sierra and Everett Poulin, Katie and Ricky DeHann; nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews too numerous to list.

There will be calling hours Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 1:00-2:00 PM followed by a service at the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT with Reverend Noyes officiating.