JOHN J. HALSEY

John J. Halsey, 84, of Jensen Beach, FL, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2003, at Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart, FL, of sudden heart failure. Born in Jersey City, NJ, on December 26, 1918, he had been a resident of Rye Brook, NY, for almost 40 years. He earned undergraduate and advanced degrees in chemistry from St. Peter's College. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a chemist, having been stationed on Okinawa. As an outlet for his dry sense of humor, he wrote the comic strip for the Stars & Stripes. Upon returning home, John was employed by Merck & Co., becoming head of quality control. John switched careers after earning an MBA from NYU in 1954 and was director of Management Science at General Foods. He also served on the board of the Neuwirth Fund from 1968 and became chairman in 1970. After several mergers, he remained an active trustee of a large mutual fund complex until 1998 managed by the Winthrop Group. John's true passion was for art. In 1963, he started painting in oil, later venturing into acrylics, in brush, woodcuts, watercolor, photography, calligraphy and pastels. He has been an active member of the Art Associates of Martin County, serving as president for the last eight years. He has exhibited in solo and group shows and has received many awards for his work. John was a past member of Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY. He was an avid sailor, serving as their Commodore for many years. John has been listed in "Who's Who in the East," "Who's Who in Finance and Industry," "Chemical Who's Who," "American Men and Women of Science," and "Who's Who in the World." He has articles published on art, statistics, business and computer applications. John has also written software programs. He was truly a Renaissance man, and a member of the "Greatest Generation." Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Harriet Halsey of Jensen Beach, FL; three daughters, Martina Halsey and Adrienne H. Wald of Greenwich, CT, and Valerie H. McGowan of Pawling, NY; one son, J. Gregory Halsey of Basking Ridge, NJ; two sisters, Midge Schley and Jule H. Maged of Cedar Grove, NJ; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, William Halsey. Those who wish may contribute to the Art Associates of Martin County Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1191, Stuart, FL, 34995. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at Aycock Funeral Home, Jensen Beach, FL. The family will be planning a memorial service in Greenwich, CT, at a later date.