Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Gilchrist Obituary
John was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, April 7, 1959, son of John D. and Ann (McGovern) Gilchrist of Ridgefield, who have been residents of Ridgefield since 1967. John graduated from Ridgefield High School in the Class of 1977 and from the University of Connecticut in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Journalism.
While attending Ridgefield High School, he excelled in sports and lettered in both football and baseball.
John was very involved in his community, he coached and sponsored numerous youth baseball, softball and basketball teams for the Redding Boys and Girls Club.
John was a Certified Financial Planner and sole owner of Gilchrist Financial Strategies, LLC. During his career he was co-host of Money Strategies Tuesday on WICC and was a past President of NAIFA.
John was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Redding where he was active in the life of the parish. He served as President of the Parish Finance Council and was instrumental in the building of the new church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his children, Jessica Ann Gilchrist of Berkley, CA; Ryan Daniel Gilchrist of New York, NY; his wife, Lauren (Costa) Gilchrist and their three children, Brynn, Nicholas and Scott Gilchrist of Redding; two sisters, Betty Ann Meny and her husband Robert and their son Paxton of Redding and Linda Jean Andrews and her husband, Michael and their children Patrick, Caitlin and Brendan of Ridgefield and six neighboring nieces and nephews of Wilton and New Canaan.
The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield on Tuesday from 4PM to 8PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 10:15am Wednesday in St. Mary Church, Ridgefield St. Mary Church, Ridgefield with the Rev. Russell Augustine, parochial vicar officiating.
Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory and honor may be made to: ""St. Patrick's R.C. Church Building Fund"", Redding, Ct, 06896 (memo ""In memory of John G. Gilchrist"") St. Patrick's Church 169 Black Rock Turnpike Redding Ct. 06896 ""The Greybeards"", a civic organization in Redding, Ct 06896 ""Town Of Redding", (memo ""John Gilchrist Greybeards donation"") Redding Park and Recreation Department, PO Box 1071, Redding, CT 06875
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Gilchrist
Jim Anderson
December 20, 2010
Dear lauren, I just found out about John's tragic passing. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. John and I worked together many years ago and I had the utmost respect for him and his approach to his profession. Besides that, he was just a great guy. I am sorry that we lost touch. Please accept my heartfelt prayers for you and your children.
~Jim Anderson
Bob Caldwell
December 15, 2010
To the Gilchrist family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met John through business and would see him every couple of years, but would talk with him 2-3 times a year. He took interest (and pride!) in what his children were doing, and always asked about my daughter. My prayers are with you.
Tom Kessler
December 11, 2010
To the Gilchrist family,
I cannot muster any words to make this easier. Rest assured tho that my thoughts are with the entire family at this time of tragedy. Our prayers are with you all. May John rest in peace and may you find peace in this time of sorrow. RIP John and GOD bless all of your family.
Tracy (Wallrapp) Grenier
December 11, 2010
Hi Lauren,
I vaguely remember John from the neighborhood when we were growing up. I know I remember his sisters from Farmingville. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. You and all the members of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brenda Condron
December 11, 2010
Although John left us to soon, his memory will live through his beautiful, strong and amazing family. Each one of his children have a gift from him. All of us were touched by John and will continue to be through his family. God Bless.
Michael McCleery
December 9, 2010
John is in my thoughts and prayers for his family.
December 8, 2010
Words can not express how we are feeling over this tragic news. The passing of a fellow RHS alum is always difficult but John's passing is a tragedy and way too soon. May his friends and family find the strength to carry on.
Vickie & Scott Piltz
Steven Hallenborg
December 8, 2010
To John's family and loved ones, Please know that I am deeply saddened by your loss. I pray for peace and comfort for your immediate and extended family in this very difficult time. Steven Hallenborg
Jack Genovese
December 8, 2010
I was sorry to read of John's passing in the Hartford Courant. John was a year ahead of me at Ridgefield High and we played baseball together for Coach Lanky. John's nickname was "Cookie," which I think was given to him by one of our teammates. Cookie Gilchrist was a former football player in the AFL. John (Cookie) always had a smile on his face during practice, which changed to more of a grimace on game days. He was a solid outfielder who could hit and run w/ the best of them. More importantly, he just loved being out on the field and hanging w/ his buddies. He was a good guy who would always go out of his way to make you feel like a part of the team. Please accept my condolances.
Sharon Boyle (Murtha)
December 8, 2010
Dear Lauren
There are no words to express the tremendous sadness and shock over the sudden loss of John. His legacy will be his beautiful and loving family. Many sincere blessings to you and the children.
Liz & Pete Hoch
December 8, 2010
To the Gilchrist Family,
We wish to express our most heartfelt condolences on the shocking loss of John. He was more than a trusted adviser, he was a friend. We will never forget his kindness and the stories we shared over the years. And above all he was so very proud of his children. We always looked forward to his Christmas card each year to see how much they had grown.
We were truly blessed to have known him, and he will always be in our hearts.
December 8, 2010
Dear Gilchrist Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. We have a rush of memories of the good times with John and the Gilchrist family and wish you peace and healing during this difficult time.
~ Tim, Heidi, Faith, & Mary O'Connor | Redding, CT
Jeff McLellan
December 7, 2010
To Lauren and Family
Prince Edward Island has lost a valued member of our small community. Lots of love to you Lauren and your children.
December 7, 2010
To the Gilchrist Family,
We will remember John as always having a kind word and a smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.
The Bellantoni Family, Redding, CT
December 7, 2010
Our most sincere sympathies to the family. I remember growing up in Ridgefield playing little league base ball with John. He was such a nice guy. We went to RHS together and he was a good ball player. Our prayers go out to the family,may he rest in peace. Jay Conway and Family
Diana Vandam
December 7, 2010
Shock disbelief that such a dear friend was called into God's arms at such a young age.
Johnnie G was such a good friend to so many.He was well respected in our industry, he was a true gentleman.
His greatess joy in life was his children.
My heart goes out to all of you-we all share your pain.
Know he was loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of being his friend.
December 6, 2010
To The Gilchrist Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. John was one of the best! Our families had such fun growing up in Ridgefield. My thoughts and prayers are with you and John will be missed by many. God Bless you all.
Carrie Isbell (Palm Desert, CA)
Corinne & Michael Chelednik
December 6, 2010
We are deeply saddened.
Michael Kindel III
December 6, 2010
My most sincere sympathies to the family. I've known John for only a few short years with very similar professional careers. He was a dedicated and upstanding individual and will truly be missed. May he rest in God's arms forever.
Janice Horak
December 6, 2010
The Gilchrist Family,
We were so sorry to hear of John's accident.
John coached our boys in baseball at the Redding Boys and Girls club when we lived in Redding. He was truly a great coach and made a positive impact on our boys!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the kids during this difficult time.
Curt, Janice, Austin & Will Horak
Dallas, Texas
December 6, 2010
Our sincere condolences to your family during this tragic time. We all have such fond memories of John when we lived in Ridgefield. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Harrington family
Jay Goldstein
December 6, 2010
I am very saddened to hear of John's passing. I know John through a professional working relationship as one of the attorneys he worked with. He was a well respected advisor that I know will be missed by many. He always spoke about his love for his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 6, 2010
Dear Mrs. Gilchrist:
I am truly sorry for your loss. We knew each other thru NAIFA. John was such a splendid person and he loved his family dearly. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Blessings to John,to You and his beloved children,
Lydia Maffei
The Boudreaus
December 6, 2010
Lauren,
I never had the pleasure to meet John but my son and Scott became friends last year at school. I am so sorry for you and your families loss. You are all in our prayers and thoughts.
Jura Owczarzak
December 6, 2010
Linda, Ann and Jack ~ How sad I am to hear this terrible news. My prayers are with you and all of your family during this hard and tragic time. May God bless you all.
December 6, 2010
I’m so deeply affected by this; my heart and prayers go to the family. I question the logic as I respect the order of life. I pray that the family can deal with this as we all share in the loss of John.
He left us too soon.
Tony Luther
December 6, 2010
Lauren and family. I knew John through Basketball and professionally. He will be missed.
Stu Grove
Bob Hoffer
December 6, 2010
To John's Family
Sadness doesn't quite define how Mo and I feel right now. I've been lucky enough to be a friend of Cookie's for over 30 years. We attended and somehow graduated from Uconn together, went to each others weddings, had 8 beautiful kids, visited each others homes and talked or e-mailed often. Every one of those conversations, some for more than an hour, John could talk you know, would eventually get around to how our kids were doing. He was so proud of his kids. I miss him so much.
The last time we spoke, he wished Mo and me a Happy Thanksgiving and we agreed to get together before the Holidays were over. God bless.
Mike Wilcox
December 6, 2010
Lauren & family,I'm so sorry for your loss. I was aquainted with John thru NAIFA.
Lori Viana
December 6, 2010
Lauren, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. It's been years since I worked for your family but you never left my thoughts or Marcio's. My prayers go out to you and your family, especially the children.
David Smith
December 6, 2010
Lauren & family, our prayers are with you and your family.
David & Emma Smith
kris Anderson-Sudrabin
December 6, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. This is such a shock and I hope you find comfort within your family, friends and church. I met John in high school and he was a fun person to know. Again , I am so sorry.
Kris Anderson Sudrabin (Delray Beach, Florida)
John Metsopoulos
December 6, 2010
I went to college with john, he was caring, compassionate man, who loved life. He will be missed by all who's lives he touched.
Gail Spencer
December 6, 2010
Lauren, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family
Gail Spencer
December 6, 2010
Lauren, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.
John Hasenfuss
December 6, 2010
I only knew John for 10 years but it seemed like I always knew him. Even though it was through business it seemed like much more. He will be greatly missed. He was special. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Warren Levy
December 6, 2010
Lauren,
I am so sorry for you and your families loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
December 6, 2010
Betty Ann, my old RHS tennis team friend, I am so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of your brother. I remember how much you looked up to him. What a beautiful write up of all his most wonderful accomplishments, most of all his family and love for them. I wish you and all your family much strength in the days ahead. Susan (Schock) Turley, Mystic, CT
George Synodi
December 6, 2010
To John's Family and Friends;
I had the good fortune of meeting John when we were both freshmen at UConn. We lived on the same floor for two years and then decided with three other friends to live in an off campus apartment together for our final two years. We had the time of our lives together and it is a time that I think back with only fond memories.
When I think of John I always think of his smile and his laugh.
At a time like this there isn't much that words can do to ease your loss. It is important however that you know that John had many many friends. Many like me in which the happenings of life caused us to lose touch.
May God bless all of you and may God bless John.
John Rovegno
December 5, 2010
John was on of the good guys indeed. He was a great friend and confidant during our years at the University of Connecticut. He was someone you could count on to stand by you and stand up for you when the going got tough. This world sorely needs more people like John and he will be sorely missed.
Our thought and prayers are with his family. His soul and positive, practical energy will live on in our hearts.
Mrs. "M"
December 5, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gilchrist was such a good man, good father and great coach. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Lena Green
December 4, 2010
This was very sad to hear about. I am at a loss for words. Please know that my thoughts are with the family and I hope that all the wonderful memories that you created as a family will bring you some comfort.
Paul Improta
December 4, 2010
Such a tragedy. John was one of the good guys, and a great friend. My heart goes out to his family.
Showing 1 - 43 of 43 results
Make a Donation
in John Gilchrist's name
Memorial Events
for John Gilchrist
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Gilchrist's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
