| He was born in Camden, N.J., on June 16, 1941, to Burrell I. Wynn
and Elizabeth (Haines) Wynn. John grew up in Haddonfield, N.J., and spent
summers in Ocean City, N.J., working with his father on charter fishing
boats. John became fascinated with submarines at an early age. After graduating
from Haddonfield High School, he joined the U.S. Navy.
He graduated from Submarine School in Groton in 1958. He subsequently
qualified in submarines on the USS Tench (SS 417) in 1960, serving as a
sonarman. John served on a number of boats in the next 10 years as well
as serving as an instructor while in San Diego. He left the Sub Force as
STS1(SS).
John went on to work on defense projects at Raytheon, until pursuing
his second passion, teaching. He became an instructor and ultimately school
director for Sylvania Technical Schools in Boston, then Philadelphia. He
later took a position as a field nuclear service technician with Picker
Corp., for 23 years, working out of Philadelphia and later New York.
John retired in Connecticut in 1997 and ultimately returned to his
first interest by becoming a life member of U.S. Subvets Groton Base. He
was also inducted into the prestigious Holland Club, commemorating 50 years
of being qualified in submarines. John served on a number of Subvets committees
over the years, including USSVI National Archivist, and the Groton Base
Anniversary and the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Sub School students.
But his proudest accomplishment was working to obtain valuable submarine
history and documentation for St. Mary's Submarine Museum in St. Marys,
Ga. For this accomplishment, he was awarded the Ben Bastura Award in 2011.
Although John received recognition for other Subvets contributions over
the years, this remained his most treasured.
John also worked closely with the USS Torsk volunteers in Baltimore,
Md., over several years. in the restoration of the World War II sub at
the Baltimore Maritime Museum. He spent many enjoyable weekends with friends,
family, and associates working with the "Torsk Bandits" refurbishing the
sonar shack.
John is survived by his wife and best friend, Ethel (Lynn), whom
he married on June 25, 1977. He is also survived by sons, Gregory Wynn
of Columbia, Md., David Wynn and his wife, Debbie, of Aston, Pa.; and daughter,
Julie DelRe of Frisco, Texas.
In addition he leaves five grandchildren, Erika, Jennifer, and Kirsten
Wynn, Kyle Clark and Zachary Cross. He was preceeded in passing by his
first wife, Barbara J. Kronfelt of Belmont, Mass.
The family would like to thank all of John's "Brothers of the Phin"
for all their kindness, support, and camaraderie over the years; there
are too many friends to name individually.
Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012,
at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. |
