John Earle English, Sr
On April 5, John Earle English, 96, of Guilford, CT peacefully passed away. By virtue of the dedication of his caregivers, he had been able to remain in his home at the shore next to the water on which he had enjoyed his happiest hours. Son of the late Leila Earle and James English, he was born May 4, 1918 in New Haven, attended Hopkins Grammar School, and graduated from Yale in 1940. During World War II he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Sixth Naval District Headquarters. Prior to and briefly after the war, he was with the United Illuminating Company, founded by his father, before becoming a trust officer with the First National Bank of New Haven. He remained with that bank and its successors for over thirty years, becoming First Bank Executive Vice-President and head of the Trust Division. After retiring in 1978, he remained active as a Director and Chairman of the Trust Committee of First Bank until its merger with Shawmut Bank. Other responsibilities in the local business community included twenty-four years as a Director of Wyatt Oil Company and many years as a board member and treasurer of the Yale Co-op. His involvement in church and civic affairs was also distinguished. Notable among his many duties were serving as a chairman of the New Haven United Fund, a warden and member of the vestry at St. Thomas Church, a trustee and treasurer of Hopkins Grammar School from 1950 to 1980, and a Governor of Mory's for over four decades. Jack, as he was familiarly known, was passionate about the sea and sailing. He was a successful racer and sailed in thirteen races to Bermuda, two trans-Atlantic races, and numerous other off-shore races and passages. His leadership positions in support of the sport included terms as Commodores of the Sachems Head Yacht Club, the Off Soundings Club, and the Eastern Connecticut Yacht Racing Association. He had also been Fleet Captain of the Cruising Club of America, as well as Rear Commodore of its Essex Station. His fellowship and energy also benefited other organizations and clubs. Among them, he had continued active membership in The North American Station of the Royal Scandinavian Yacht Club, the Dauntless Club, where he was a member of the council from 1948 to 1990, the New York Yacht Club, and the Storm Trysail Club. Janice Beckwith English, his beloved wife of seventy-one years, predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by three daughters and two sons: Sarah Waite and her husband Robert of Landgrove, VT, Olivia Bravakis and husband Louis of Worcester, VT, Gail English and husband Andrew Haines of Jamaica Plain, MA, John English, Jr. and his wife Mary of Landgrove, VT, and Timothy English and wife Carmen of Madison & Deep River, CT. His eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren will also miss the wit and humor of their 'Captain.' The graveside service will be private, and a celebration of his life is planned for early May. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice, Inc. 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.
My condolences to Mr. English’s family. In time wonderful memories will make the days bearable. Jesus said; .Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out,….(John 5:28-29) May his promise also help to comfort you.
Very sorry to learn of the passing of .Young Jack. English (his first cousin and my late grandfather John Fletcher English was known as .Old Jack. within the family to avoid confusion). On behalf of my mother Frances English Reynolds and our family, we offer our sincere condolences to Mr. English’s family.
John English Reynolds
Praise God to a life worth living
John 14:1,2. Let not your heart be troubled………My house has many mansions. …….
I am a distant relative looking to build bridges with all my relatives.
Yours in Christ. Roger Huntington Frost of Indian Neck, Bradford, Connecticut and Worcester, Massachusetts. 508-654-3101 10 Hulbert Road,Worcester,MA.01603
Jack (and Janice) were wonderful companions at so many sailing cruises, races and social events. Great memories of wonderful people, who were both blessed with very long, full lives. Condolences and very best wishes to all of the English family.
John Brooks (CCA, OSC, NYYC)
In Honor of Nancy English Frost
The Frost Family would like to give their sincere sympathy to Mr. English\’s family. Nancy thought very highly of Jack English who administrated her trust and other financial dealings for many years.
Nancy\’s Grandfather was John Cutler English, brother to John Earl English\’s father.
mis-spelling ; Roger Walden Frost . He married into the family when he met his intended spouse Nancy Hall English in 1945-1946 on a blind date set up for him by his U.S. Naval Comrades while finishing his military service after World War Two at the Norfolk Shipyard and U.S. Naval Base at Norfolk, Virginia. He served as an Assistant Supply Officer; Lieutenant Junior Grade, on a destroyer in the Pacific Theater near the island of Truk and near where the surrender took place of the Japanese Military. 2 September: The instrument of surrender is signed by representatives of the Allied and Japanese governments onboard USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay. He spent the rest of his life in Worcester, Massachusetts. He did serve 7 years in the U. S. Naval Reserve.
a poem for our departed souls gone on from this life. to meet our savior Jesus Christ
By Edgar Albert Guest
The Joys We Miss
There never comes a lonely day but that we miss the laughing ways
Of those who used to walk with us through all our happy yesterdays.
We seldom miss the earthly great—the famous men that life has known—
But, as the years go racing by, we miss the friends we used to own.
The chair wherein he used to sit recalls the kindly father true
For, Oh, so filled with fun he was, and, Oh, so very much he knew!
And as we face the problems grave with which the years of life are filled.
We miss the hand which guided us and miss the voice forever stilled.
We little guessed how much he did to smooth our pathway day by day,
How much of joy he brought to us, how much of care he brushed away;
But now that we must tread alone the thorough-fare of life, we find
How many burdens we were spared by him who was so brave and kind.
Death robs the living, not the dead—they sweetly sleep whose tasks are done;
But we are weaker than before who still must live and labor on.
For when come care and grief to us, and heavy burdens bring us woe,
We miss the smiling, helpful friends on whom we leaned long years ago.
We miss the happy, tender ways of those who brought us mirth and cheer;
We never gather round the hearth but that we wish our friends were near;
For peace is born of simple things—a kindly word, a goodnight kiss,
The prattle of a babe, and love—these are the vanished joys we miss.