John F. Ahrens

John F. Ahrens, PhD, 82, of Simsbury and formerly of Bloomfield, beloved husband of Phyllis (Carle) Ahrens, passed away shortly after a stroke on November 10, 2012, surrounded by his family. Born in Bellmore, NY, son of the late William & Martha (Schneider) Ahrens, he was raised on Long Island and graduated from Mepham High School. He was a graduate of the Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute (Farmingdale) where he enlisted in the US Marine Corps inactive reserve. After graduation, he worked two years in the Soil Conservation Service in Millbrook, NY where he met and dated Phyllis Carle. He was called to active duty and served a one year tour in Korea during the war, where he earned the rank of Sergeant, USMC. After returning in May of '52, he married Phyllis and they moved to Athens, GA where he received a BSA from the Univ. of Georgia. He then earned both an MS & PhD in Plant Physiology from Iowa State University, after which he began his long career in Weed Science at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Valley Laboratory in Windsor. After retirement, he continued as a Weed Scientist, Emeritus, at the Experiment Station, as well as performing research and consulting throughout the Northeast and Canada until shortly before his death. He was a member and past president of both the National & Northeastern Weed Science Societies of America. In addition, he owned and operated the Ahrens Tree Farm of Bloomfield, CT & West Woodbury, VT. He was an active member of the National, CT, NH/VT, & NY Christmas Tree Growers Associations and worked vigorously to assist in the registration of new, effective protocols for weed control in Christmas trees and ornamentals. John was extremely active his whole life; he was a Cub Scout Master, a frequent blood donor, and served on the Bloomfield Inland Wetlands Commission and the Land Trust. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed cutting and splitting wood, deer hunting and riding his various BMW motorcycles on many trips throughout North America. He was a member of Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church for 49 years and served as a Sunday School Teacher and a Vestryman and took an active part in their many fairs. He leaves Phyllis, his beloved wife of 60 years, four sons: William (Bill) & wife Margaret (Peggy), currently of Shenyang, China, John Jr. (Jay) & wife Elena of Carson City, NV, Timothy (Tim) & wife Sunny of San Jose, CA, Karl & wife Susan of Bloomfield; nine grandchildren: Ben & his wife Kari, Mitch, Russ, Katy; Shane; Becky & her husband Zack, Jackie; Dan, David; a sister: Harriet Garistina of Levittown, NY; and eight nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, William (Bill). His family will receive friends, Sunday, Nov, 18 from 3-5 pm followed by an informal time of sharing memories of John from 5-6 pm at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave, Windsor. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, Nov 19, at 11 am at Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 59 Tariffville Rd, Bloomfield. Burial will be in Old St. Andrew's Cemetery with military honors. Contributions may be made to either Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 59 Tariffville Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 or the American Heart Association, 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.