Obituary of John Botsford Wilder

John Botsford Wilder, age 97, of Branchport, NY passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 31st, 2023.

John was born in Englewood, NJ on November 19th, 1926, son of the late Mary Botsford and Hugo T. Wilder. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor's Degree in Science with a major in Metallurgical Engineering. John served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 and then in the US Naval Reserves from 1949 to 1951. He married Joan Shoemaker in Hammondsport, NY on June 18th, 1949.  John was a supervising buyer for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY for 34 years, retiring in 1983 and has met twice yearly with his fellow purchasing agents from the last 40 years. He was a member of the Keuka Yacht Club, Penfield Country Club (where he had his only hole-in-one in 1999!), Glenn H. Curtiss Museum Restoration Shop, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, OX 5 Aviation Club, Boy Scouts of America, and past President of the Penfield School Board. He was an avid skier, sailor and golfer and enjoyed hundreds of weekends on Keuka Lake with family and friends.

Survivors include his adoring children, Elizabeth "Beth" Wilder of Oneonta, NY, Susan (John) Doelp of Darien, CT and son Jeffrey (Eva Marie) Wilder of Walworth and grandchildren: Amanda (Jimmy) Lynch, John Doelp II, Jacob Wilder, Arthur Doelp and great grandsons: Caeden James Lynch and Ellis John Lynch. He also is survived by his sister-in-law, Kay Wilder, his cousin, Jo Ansley Kendig, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased in 2005 by his wife of 56 years, Joan and his brother, Arthur H. Wilder in 2022.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Branchport on January 20th at 11:00 AM. Burial at Bitley Cemetery will be at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John's memory to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 121 West Lake Rd., Branchport, NY 14418 or to the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, 8419 State Rte. 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840. Memories of John may be shared with his family and friends at townsendwoodzinger.com