John J. Wynn

NIANTIC - John I. Wynn of Niantic, CT, departed on Eternal Patrol on May 12, 2012 after a long illness. He was born in Camden, NJ on June 16, 1941 to Burrell I. Wynn and Elizabeth Haines Wynn. John grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey and spent summers in Ocean City, NJ 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 Navy. He graduated SUBSCHOOL 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 ten 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 Corporation for 23 years, working out of Philadelphia and later New York.

John retired in 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 SUBSCHOOL 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 WWII 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, TX. In addition he leaves 5 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, MA.

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 6 – 8 PM on Friday, May 18, 2011 at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the U.S SUBVETS