John James Wild Jr.

John James Wild, Jr., born on December 20, 1944, to John and Eileen Wild in Lynbrook, Long Island, passed away on July 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather, an entrepreneur, and a lifelong adventurer-whether on snow, sea, or in the sky.
Being on the water was his true passion. A licensed US Merchant Marine Officer, John sailed and boated from Maine to the Florida Keys, completed multiple transatlantic crossings to Bermuda and the Azore Islands, and regular sojourns to the Bahamas.
He had a deep love for skiing-an interest inherited from his father-which he passed on to his children, whom he taught and skied with over 20 winters at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, instilling the importance of being first in line for the gondola no matter how frigid the mountain weather.
Professionally, John was the second-generation leader of J.J. Wild, Inc., a technology company founded by his father in 1956. After taking over the reins in the 1970s, John transformed the business to focus on the healthcare sector, becoming MEDITECH's leading integration partner. In 2007, he sold the company to Perot Systems.
In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and grandchildren at the Delray Beach Club, River Dunes, North Carolina, and on Cape Cod. He also renewed his passion for aviation, earning his second pilot's license and learning to fly helicopters.
John was a benefactor to many causes, supporting groundbreaking cardiology research at Mass General Hospital and other charities.
In addition to his beloved wife, Kathleen Redmond, John is survived by his former wife and the mother of his children, Barbara Wild, his three children, Heather Steele, Christopher, and Andrew, and his stepdaughter, Tracey Machnik; as well as their spouses Brian, Sonia, Elisabeth, and Craig, and his ten cherished grandchildren: Aidan, Mackie, Finn, Georgia, Inés, Bode, Thales, Craig Jr, Henry, and Will. He also leaves behind his sister Jeanne Sweeney of Delray Beach, FL. He was a graduate of Chaminade High School and Colgate University, where he was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, August 20 from 4–7 p.m. at Brae Burn Country Club, Newton, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the cardiac research lab of Dr. Rajeev Malahotra at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.