Westlake Village, CA - John Farrell Havens, Jr., better known as "Hondo," died suddenly on February 28, 2026, at the age of 69. Hondo lived a life as big as his six-foot-four frame and was impossible to forget.

Born March 5, 1956, he often said that he won the lottery with his parents, John and Kathleen (O'Hare) Havens, who raised him in an Irish American household in West Hartford. That heritage stayed with him forever, and he even sang a legendary rendition of "The Wild Colonial Boy" during a Nestlé sales meeting.

Hondo was a force of nature: loud, loyal, and loving. Whether he was sipping a proper Guinness poolside with his "guns out," or just blasting the Grateful Dead, he was in his element. He had a special place in his heart for his cats and dogs. A lifelong Boston sports fan, he loved his Celtics and was in the stands the night the Red Sox finally broke the curse. But above all, he cherished the friends he made along the way.

After attending Kingswood Oxford School and the College of the Holy Cross, where he had a legendary stint with the rugby club, Hondo spent his entire 41-year career at Carnation and Nestlé USA. He was a servant leader who led by example and passion, always pushing his team to exceed expectations. In retirement he launched his own consulting business, but his real joy was found on the sands of Cape Cod with his bride and in the laughter of his grandkids.

He lived by the mantra "Golf is fun," used the game to forge deep friendships, and checked off the ultimate bucket-list round at Augusta National. Still, the man was competitive to the core. He wouldn't even let you win at Candy Land.

A man of deep Catholic faith, he believed character and integrity were everything. He showed it every week volunteering with Meals on Wheels, always ready to help anyone who needed a hand.

He is survived by his dearly loved wife of 43 years, Mary (Pendergast); his children, Mariah, Drew (Amanda), and Jack; his grandchildren, John Paul and Naomi; his siblings, Camilla Caffrey (Joe), Garrett (Dana), and Kelly Cabell; and his many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Hondo's lifelong aversion to long speeches, we'll keep this brief: raise a proper glass, put on the Dead, and toast a life lived loudly, faithfully, and exactly as he wanted. Hondo's funeral mass will be held on March 28 at 10:00 AM at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village, CA. Celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Patrick Graham Foundation, an organization that supports those in recovery. He was a dedicated supporter who participated annually in Patrick's Plunge.