I just read of John's passing. My heartfelt condolences to the Wilder family. John was one of the good guys, for sure ...

I had first met Mr. Wilder when he was scoutmaster for Troop 170, Penfield,NY, in the mid 1950s. One year our patrol had won a competition and we were rewarded with a weekend at the Wilder family cottage on Keuka Lake as well as a day of sailing on the Wild Deuce III, if I recall correctly. We reconnected years later when I was employed with the Penfield School District and John was school board president. He was always civic-minded as evidenced by the many organizations he served. Rest in peace, John, you have served your nation and local community well!

A great pleasure to have known John through our volunteering at the Curtiss Museum. Our sincere condolences to the family. May the fond memories you shared bring you comfort and peace.

It makes me very sad to learn of John’s passing. I depended on him for so much for the decade I worked as the Parish Secretary for Incarnation Episcopal Church in Penfield. He taught me things about boilers I never thought I’d need to know! He was a good neighbor as well. John, I am grateful to have shared years with you.

John was great friends with my father (Penfield CC golfers) and even myself in later years. He taught me how to use a table saw in 1990 and I visited him several times in Branchport on Keuka and even caught him in the shop at The Museum one time. Great guy, will miss him. Glad he was able to have many more good years in retirement than working at EK.

The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in John's passing.

We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.