Jr. John S. WILBUR

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Jr. WILBUR Obituary

WILBUR, Jr., John S.

John S. Wilbur, Jr., 72 years old, died July 26, 2013 at Hospice in West Palm Beach, FL. He was born in 1941 to Atheline and John Wilbur in Cleveland, OH. John attended the Loomis School and graduated from Yale University in 1964 where he was captain of the wrestling team. He served in the US Navy from 1964 to 1968, first in the Underwater Demolition Team 22 and then with Seal Team 2, where he lived among the Vietnamese of the Mekong Delta, and for his service was awarded a purple heart. After Vietnam he graduated with a degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, OH. He practiced law in St. Croix, Virgin Islands as Chief Assistant United States Attorney before returning to Florida where he was a trial lawyer and partner of the law firm of Coe & Broberg, Palm Beach. He moved back to Cleveland in 1994 where he was president of University Circle Inc., a Non Profit Organization. Later he revisited Vietnam and wrote a book "Split Vision" in which he recalled his war experiences and commented on the people, country and culture with poetic impressions. John and his wife Beverly lived in Palm Beach, Cleveland, Martha's Vineyard and have been long time members and residents of the Ocean Club of Florida in Ocean Ridge, FL. He was a past president of the Yale Club of the Palm Beaches, a founding director of the UDT/Seal Team Museum in Ft. Pierce, and a vestry member and senior Warden of Bethesda-By-The-Sea. He led an interesting and adventurous life. His friends were legendary and remained an active and joyous part of his difficult last years with dementia. But his family and friends were what he treasured most. He is survived by his wife Beverly of 33 years, step daughter, Blair and husband Tim Givens, grandchildren, Taylor and Jamie Givens Palm Beach, FL, step daughter, Jill Butler, step son, Jay Butler, West Palm Beach, FL, sisters, Atheline Wilbur, Boston, MA Andrea and husband Sergio, Milan, Italy and Maren Wilbur, Cleveland, OH and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He will always be loved by all. A memorial celebration of his life will be held in October and announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to: Bethesda-By-The-Sea Church, 141 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480. or Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.

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Published by The Palm Beach Post from Jul. 28 to Jul. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jr. WILBUR

7 Entries

August 19, 2013

Dear Beverly,

From my point of view, John was the incarnation of the American dream; soldier, family man, highly educated and such a gentleman. He was always so nice to us and the kids. We are deeply pained to learn John passed away, may he rest in peace.

Guillaume Nadd-Mitterrand.

Rosalie Hornblower

July 31, 2013

Dear Beverly,
My heart goes out to you and a Hooyah from my husband Willits (UDT 12, SEAL TEAM 1) as we both revered and adored him. What a loss. We will be in touch. The last few years must have been very rough for you and John's sisters, and we send you much love in your loss of this incredible man, so full of life. One memory, I was pruning a big box outside of our old house on Squib and I hear " Is anyone here, Paul?" It was John who had biked all the way to see all of us at Squib. We saw him a couple of more times in VH and at a Wounded Warrior event in NYC.
He will NEVER be forgotten.
May you rest in peace, from
Rosalie Hornblower and Willits Sawyer

July 31, 2013

Beverly,
Cynthia and I were so sorry to hear of John's passing.I always appreciated his courageous service to our country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Richard Callahan.

Anne Morgan

July 29, 2013

It is with a heavy heart full of sadness that I received the news about John's passing. As anyone who knows him will tell you, he was a man who was bigger than life itself both in stature and in personality. I had the fortune to meet John and begin working with him within weeks of my relocating to South Florida some 27 years ago, and he remained a presence in my life and that of my family through all those years. Godspeed you home JSW, I still can't grasp the fact that I won't hear you marching up the back stairs to the office, or get another call from you needing some more help with your latest electronic gizmo, or hear your big booming laugh as we trade stories of life's latest adventures. I will miss you immensely; your passing leaves a void that can't be filled. Rest in peace John, may you rest in peace.

July 29, 2013

John was a valued and wonderful friend over a span of nearly sixty years . He was warm, engaging and interesting and fun. I had joyful experiences with him in Cleveland,new haven, New York, Boston and palm beach. He was big guy with a big heart and his loss leaves a hole in the air for so many. My deepest sympathy to Beverly and to John,s sisters.

Jeff Cole

Clark Smith

July 28, 2013

John left Paxton Crow Bragg etc in 1980-which is how they had an opening that I was hired to fill.--I filled the opening but never his shoes--I continued to hear what a gifted lawyer and amazing human being he was. I was also priveleged to, in a small way, get to know him, he will be missed, a great human being, even though he was a lawyer! If you got to know him, I know like me, you consider yourself fortunate. May he rest in peace.

Myles Cooley

July 28, 2013

Beverly,
So sorry to read of John's passing in the paper today. The past several years must have been very difficult for you. I'm actually in San Diego right now for a month where our oldest daughter lives with her husband and our 5 month old grandson, Elliott. Please be in touch if you want. I still practice part-time in P. Beach Gardens.

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