Smoker Craft mourns John Babbitt, international sales manager

John Babbitt, Smoker Craft’s international sales manager, passed away last week. The company submitted the following obituary to Boating Industry.

Smoker Craft Inc. is saddened to announce the passing of its much-beloved international sales manager, John Babbitt.

John, 69, passed away at his home in Indianapolis late last week. A graduate of the University of Maine and the Thunderbird International School of Management in Glendale, Arizona, John Babbitt handled international sales for Smoker Craft for the past 14 years and was a well-known and highly respected member of our global sales team.

Born in Austria, John Babbitt initially followed his father’s footsteps and answered the call to military service, serving as a tank commander in the US Army. Upon completing his service, he embarked on what became a lifelong career in the recreational boating industry, starting with Starcraft in the early 1970s as the company’s export manager. John’s international experience led to him forming his own company with partner Ed Cheikh in the early 1980s, representing the Jeanneau boat brand in the US while simultaneously promoting a number of American brands in overseas markets. Following further experience with Mariah, he returned to the Smoker Craft family for good in 2002 assuming responsibility for international sales.

Although married three times, John did not leave any children. John will always be remembered for his warmth and generosity. He was truly a larger-than-life personality who took no greater delight than sharing his intense love of travel, fine dining and French wines at every opportunity. He will be sorely missed.