John F. Wilson Jr., 72, died on Saturday, August 8, after suffering a massive stroke while cycling with the Morris Area Free-Wheelers (MAFW). John grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and has been a resident of Mendham Township for 44 years.
Before retiring, John was a self-employed computer consultant for Brockden Associates. Since his retirement, John has been an avid skier, cyclist and world traveler. As a cycler, John participated with the MAFW. John loved the Sugarbush Valley in Vermont and was an ambassador at Sugarbush Resort. He is the current president of the Sugarbush Racing Club and was very committed to the club. This past year, he won the club’s silver medal for his age division and medaled in each race this past season. He also won the gold medal at the Vermont Senior Games Alpine Championship in his age group.
John and his wife, Nancy, recently returned from Guadeloupe but have also recently traveled to Italy, Germany and Croatia. John was an active member of Brookside Community Church, participating as a trustee and as chairman of the Church Addition Building Committee, and was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. He was a member and past president of the Mendham Area Jaycees, a founder of the Mendham Area Soccer Club and past chairman of the Mendham Township Recreation Commission.
For many years, John pitched the Mendham Jaycees to multiple town championships and excelled as a lineman for the Jaycee NJ State Champion football team. One of his favorite accomplishments was his first-place tie for best costume for the annual Diziki Halloween costume contest.
His survivors include his wife Nancy (Spader); two sons, Brad and his wife Cathy, and Glenn and his wife Kara; a sister Gail Mortensen; and five grandchildren, Zach, Andy, Jenna, Matt and Kayleigh.
A Memorial Service to honor John’s life will be celebrated at Brookside Community Church (Mendham Township) on Sunday, August 16, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, P.O. Box 139, Killington, VT 05751; Planned Parenthood, 196 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960; or to Brookside Community Church, P.O. Box 490, Brookside, NJ 07926.
