John F. Wagner

WAGNER - John F., son of former Sag Harbor Police Chief, Edmund Wagner, died at his home in Syosset, NY on May 5, 2025. He was 97 years old. Born on January 22, 1928, he graduated, at 16 years old, from Pierson High School in Sag Harbor in 1944. He continued his education at Villanova University, but then enlisted in the Army in 1946, being discharged in 1948 from the Army Air Force. He re-entered Villanova in 1948 and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Economics. He was called up again to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War. He was stateside for both assignments. He was honorably discharged in 1951. Growing up in Sag Harbor, John was an altar boy at St. Andrews Church, worked at Schiavoni's grocery store, and later at the Sag Harbor Express. He married Suzanne Hildreth in 1954 and had a son, John F. Wagner Jr., in 1956. He started work with the Ernst & Ernst Accounting firm in Manhattan in 1952, became a partner in 1966, and eventually retired from Ernst & Young in 1987. Some of his major clients over the years included: BMI Music Licensing, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and Carnegie Hall. Another major account was Kayser-Roth, which, among other things, owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants. He was often seen on TV, handing the final results of the vote counting to Master of Ceremonies, Bob Barker, for these events. He was also seen on TV for the NBA draft, when Patrick Ewing was acquired by the New York Knicks. For over 50 years, he was a member of the Brookville Country Club and had many enjoyable rounds of golf there with his friends and with his son. He was a member of the St. Edwards Catholic Church in Syosset for over 60 years, coaching CYO baseball in the 1960s. Jack (known by that name) maintained houses in Sag Harbor (his childhood home), Syosset, NY, and Palm Beach, FL. He is predeceased by his parents, Agnes Wagner (nee Brooks) and Edmund Wagner; and by his wife, Suzanne Wagner (nee Hildreth) in 2008. He is survived by his son, John Jr. his daughter-in-law, Marilyn Wagner (both of Suffern, NY); and his long-time companion since 2012, Laura Schurr of Syosset. Funeral arrangements will be handled by the Beney Funeral Home in Syosset. Viewing on Monday, May 12, from 4pm to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Syosset on Tuesday, May 13, 11:00am. Burial will take place in Sag Harbor at the St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery on Wednesday morning, May 14. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Lustgarten Foundation.