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John de Jesus Cifuentes
Visitation/Velación:
Tuesday
November 15, 2022
4 PM - 8 PM
Location:
John Krtil Funeral Home
1297 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
Funeral Mass/Misa Funeral:
Wednesday
November 16, 2022
10 AM
Location:
St. Vincent Ferrer Church
869 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10065
Private Cremation/Cremación privada
John de Jesús Cifuentes Montoya died peacefully at home on November 11, 2022 with his beloved wife Pamela A. Danesi by his side. To all who knew him, he was a wonderfully kindhearted and generous man with a passion for social justice, empathy for those in need, and a lifelong love of teaching and learning. John was a great conversationalist, and would love to regale family and friends with long stories rich in detail from his past. He was a man of faith whose life was shaped by love of family.
John was born on December 15, 1935 in the remote rural village of Abriaquí, Antioquia, Colombia high in the Andes mountains. He grew up in the neighboring town of Caicedo where his parents, Jesús M.Cifuentes and Mercedes Montoya , owned a coffee plantation. From a young age, he was seized by a curiosity about the world which inspired his desire to learn. He earned a scholarship to pursue higher education and graduated in 1961 from the Normal Nacional Superior de Varones in Manizales with a degree of Maestro Superior (Superior Teacher), and a Bachiller from Casa Cultural Moreno y Escandon Instituto de Bachillarato in Bogotá in 1961. He subsequently attended Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá to study sociology as a way of assisting his community with conflict resolution. He learned the great need for this process much earlier, when he convinced his father to go into hiding during the turbulent La Violencia period in Colombia and thus saved his father from certain murder by the paramilitaries.
After the death of his father in 1963, John returned to Caicedo to help manage the family farm. Knowing first hand the limited educational opportunities available to children, he began enlisting the help of local teachers and government leaders to expand the grade levels and resources available. This determined effort to aid the poor through education led to his founding of the secondary school Instituto de Educatión Media San Juan Bosco in Caicedo. On the occasion of the school’s 50th anniversary in 2016, John was invited to return for the celebration and honored publicly for his service to the children and the community.
Growing up on a farm, John had a soft spot in his heart for animals. He gained the trust of horses that he trained for riding with kindness and patience, and he loved to relate funny stories of stubborn wayward cows and comical antics of a mother hen berating her chicks. In later years, everyone knew how attached he was to his pet cat, Peep, whom he would take on road trips, with Peep calmly sitting in the front seat by his side.
Seeking wider experience and fuller opportunities, John emigrated to the United States in 1970 and continued teaching. When he decided to pursue a second career in real estate, he attended New York University and earned a Certificate in Real Estate Management. He managed buildings in mid-town Manhattan before purchasing his own multi-family apartment building in Brooklyn. John benefited from a knack for fixing almost anything. As a building manager, he easily mastered the workings of plumbing, heating, and electricity and could make all the repairs himself if necessary. This talent endeared him to tenants of all the buildings he managed. And, perhaps more important than the physical repairs, he always treated people with respect and fairness, and would often generously help tenants with good deeds, both large and small -- he once searched the neighborhood to find a priest to give Last Rites to a dying man, and another time, offered to find help for an alcoholic tenant who had been violently attacked and robbed.
After moving to his home on Shore Road in Brooklyn, John was dismayed by the poor condition of the nearby park which was falling into neglect and being used as a dumping ground. He started by cleaning up a small area and planting flowers himself, but as interest from his neighbors grew, he petitioned local city government officials as well as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to recognize this part of the park as a separate area. Narrows Botanical Garden was officially founded in 1995 as a result of his commitment.
John´s interest in the wider world continued throughout his life. He enjoyed travelling to many countries, from Mexico, South America, and Europe. He followed news from around the world -- most mornings he could be found reading Colombian periodicals as well as the New York Times and The Economist. He loved to attend the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic.
John is survived by his loving wife Pamela, his devoted daughter Patricia Amparo Cifuentes and son-in-law Carlos Enrique Munoz, his granddaughter Maria Alejandra Munoz, and his sister Blanca Rose Cifuentes. He was preceded in death by his brother Jose Eucaris Cifuentes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or World Central Kitchen.
Ilumíname, Señor.
Impregna de tu luz mi espíritu para que yo, embebido en tu contemplación, pueda conocerte y expandir tu nombre. Deja Señor, que tan siquiera, una sola gota de tu sangre ruede por mi alma y la fecundice, para que inflamado mi espíritu con el fuego de la fé, reviente el fervor de aquellos que aún te desconocen. Y, has, Señor, que yo esté en Tí, para que, cumplida vuestra Divina Voluntad, pueda un día volar a la mansión eterna. ¡ Y, llévame, Señor, hasta donde quieras que yo vaya!
Escrita por John de Jesús Cifuentes
Agosto 13 de 1959
Enlighten me, Lord.
May your light suffuse my spirit
so that, lost in your contemplation,
I can know you and amplify your name.
Lord, let even
a single drop of your blood
roll by my soul and fortify it,
so that, my spirit, inflamed by the fire of faith,
burst the fervor of those that still do not know you.
And make, Lord, me into You,
so that, completing your divine will,
I will one day be able to fly
to the eternal home.
And take me, Lord, to where
you want me to go.
John de J. Cifuentes
1959
New Title
Butler, Samuel C. Adored husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend. Born March 10, 1930, in Logansport, Indiana to Jane Flynn and Melvin Butler. Married to Sally Thackston on June 28, 1952 until her death in October, 2023. Sally and he had three children: Sam (Susan Jett), Leigh (Don Fowley) and Elizabeth (Liz) Boissard (Chris); nine grandchildren, whom they adored and who adored them: Eliza (Jake Hudson), Mimi (Alex Minasian), Alison and Henry Butler; Nick (Derek Blasberg) and Jesse Brown (Zach Jhonk); and Maggie (Larsson Burch), Anna and Sam (Britt) Boissard; and eight great-grandchildren: Rosie, Ben and Lea Hudson; Teddy and Josephine Minasian; Grace and Noah Blasberg-Brown; and Callie Johnk. Sam is also survived by 2 sisters, Jane Kahle and Anne Hoover and their three children Katie Connor and John Kahle, and Mindy MacAnally. Sam graduated as valedictorian from Culver Military Academy in 1947, lettering in basketball and football; from Harvard College in 1951, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, receiving a Sheldon Travelling Fellowship and lettering in football; from Harvard Law School 1954, magna cum laude, an editor of the Harvard Law Review, and the recipient of a Sears prize. After clerking for Justice Sherman Minton of the United States Supreme Court and serving in the U.S. Army, he joined the New York law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, in September 1956. Elected a partner in 1960, Sam served as presiding partner from 1980-98. His legal skills and sound business judgment also served him well as an elected director of several public companies. His involvement in educational and charitable activities included serving as a trustee for The New York Public Library (since 1978, Board Chairman 1999-2004); Vassar College (1969-77); the American Museum of Natural History (1989-93); The September 11th Fund (2001-04); Culver Academies (1981-2001). At Harvard, he was elected to its Board of Overseers in 1982 and served as the President of the Board for two years ending in 1988. He was also a member of several Visiting Committees, the Chairman of the Harvard College Fund, and a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee at the Law School from (1997-2011). Over the years Sam received many awards, including the Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee; the Servant of Justice Award from The Legal Aid Society; the Lillian D. Ward Award from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York; the David T. W. McCord and Richard T. Flood '27 awards from the Harvard College Fund; the Harvard Law School Association Award; the Harvard Medal from the Harvard Alumni Association; and the Distinguished Service and the Man of the Year awards from Culver. Most of all, he was the fearless leader of our family. Even with all his accomplishments and hours spent buried in a hardcover book, he always made time for us. Our many vacations included 3 safaris, white water rafting, the Galapagos, our National Parks, Tuscany, Hawaii and so many ski trips. He introduced us to Broadway musicals and a lifetime of their songs. Every Sunday there was a standing invitation to dinner at Lusardi’s or Chef Ho’s. We did Stave puzzles, made apple cider, ate vegetables from his garden, listened to his funny stories, and enjoyed his unique brand of mischief. The glass was always half full for Dad. He believed he could do anything he set his mind to and with the exception of mastering a foreign language (or carrying a tune) he pretty much did. And he always believed we could too. He was part of our lives for so long, and will be missed by everyone who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family would very much appreciate contributions to The Samuel C. Butler Historical Collections Endowment Fund at The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018. A private service will be held at the New York Public Library at a later date.
Rose was born on February 12, 1927 to Jan and Helena Reipricht, who emigrated to America from Czechoslovakia in 1922. They settled in New York City and raised five daughters in Yorkville, where Rose chose to live for her entire life. She enjoyed music, dancing, and a cold beer. Rose loved playing cards and games with her grandchildren. To keep busy after she retired, Rose volunteered as "the ice cream lady" at P.S. 158 elementary school, where she was known to everyone as "Grandma Rose". Rose had four children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to one of the following organizations in honor of Rose Stevko: Mary Manning Walsh Home, where Rose received care for several years https://www.archcare.org/donate/ Alzheimer’s Association of New York, which provides support to families whose loved ones have dementia and Alzheimer’s https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1 Breast Cancer Research Foundation https://www.bcrf.org/
Edward F. Myers passed away January 27, 2025, at the age of 87. He was a native of New York, section of Yorkville. Eddie truly knew it was more blessed to give than receive. His generosity knew no bounds. Eddie was a brother, an uncle, a beautiful soul who would help anyone. His smile and laugh would light up any room he entered. He lived life to the fullest and especially spending time with his life partner Rosemarie. Although, Eddie is gone, he will live in our heart forever. He is survived by his life partner, Rosemarie Seibert, Sister, Patricia Murphy and children, Roberta Myers (Sister-in-law) and children, Anthony Mannino (Brother-in-law) and children, and many nieces and nephews, as well as a growing number of grandnieces and grandnephews. Preceded by his Mother, Margaret Sentomasky, Grandmother, Irene Keith, Brother John Myers, and Sister, Irene Mannino. Services will be held Friday, February 7th, 12:00 – 2:00pm and 5:00 -7:00pm , at John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 First Avenue (69-70th Street ). New York, NY 10021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St Jude's Memorial donations, in memory or Edward F. Myers.
William Thomas "Bill" Daly, born on January 30, 1950, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, in New York City. Bill grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, and later divided his time between New York City and Breezy Point, NY. From the age of five, he developed a lifelong passion for hockey, playing roller and ice hockey with neighborhood friends and competing in the New York Metropolitan League, amongst others. A devoted fan of the New York Rangers, Bill’s love for the sport remained constant throughout his life. In his later years, he discovered a love for golf. Bill cherished his time on the course and his many golf trips, spending countless hours perfecting his swing and enjoying the camaraderie. He also loved fishing with friends, whether on his own boat or theirs. In his professional life, Bill found fulfillment as a realtor and broker in Breezy Point, where he built meaningful connections with clients and colleagues. He also dedicated himself to supporting others both In the Rooms and outside, offering mentorship and guidance that reflected his generous spirit. Bill was a devoted husband to Kelly Daly for 21 years and a loving father to his children, son, William Thomas Daly Jr. and his wife Laurie Daly, and his daughter Colleen Daly-Arroyo and her husband Alberto Arroyo. He was a beloved brother to Joseph Daly and brother-in-law to Catherine and Danny Frank and Eddie and Mary Opfer. Bill was a proud uncle to Debra Daly, Pamela Currlin, Claudia Stringer, Caitlyn Opfer, Danny Frank, Michael Frank, Brian Opfer, and many great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents John M. Daly Sr. and Margaret Daly; his brother John M. Daly Jr.; and his sister-in-law Palma Daly. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23rd at John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 1st Avenue, New York City from 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. A funeral mass will take place on Friday, January 24th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 230 E. 90th Street in New York City. Bill’s warmth, kindness, generosity and unwavering support left an indelible mark on all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to those who loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Irene was born in January 1933 in New York Hospital to parents John and Vilma Hall who had emigrated through Ellis Island in 1927 from Czechoslovakia. They originally lived on East 73rd street but soon moved to East 71st Street only yards away from TJ Sokol New York. Irene was soon the eldest sister to Julia and Ann. Irene attended grammar school at PS 82 and then Julia Richman High School. In 1955 she married Robert Gallagher and had two sons, Kevin and Thomas while living at First Avenue and 69th Street. Her strong Czechoslovak roots led naturally to joining TJ Sokol New York at an early age and she began her gymnastic experience. Irene became a member in 1963 and through the years held several offices including Vice President and Historian. After a divorce Irene married her soulmate Stanley in 1965. Together Irene and Stanley became a fixture in Sokol Hall and everything Sokol. Many a day and evening were spent there heavily involved in gymnastics and organizational meetings as well as up at Camp Sokol in East Haddam, Connecticut, and national and international gymnastic Slets. Irene’s working career began at New York Hospital starting as a secretary to the Head Nurse of Pediatrics, to the Assistant to the Dean of Nursing and ended as Assistant to the Vice President of Nursing after a total of 33 years at the hospital. Irene’s love of her Yorkville roots ran deep. She never liked hearing the neighborhood referred to as “the Upper East Side”. She passed along her knowledge and experience to her sons and she was the personal cheerleader for Kevin and Tom in their respective lives and careers. Family strength, traditions, the holidays and patriotism were instilled into her sons. Love of God, family, country and the Czechoslovakian heritage were very important to her. Irene will be missed by all who knew her but especially her two sons, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Irene now joins Stanley, her sister Julia and her parents in Heaven. Thanks for everything Mom.
Deirdre Ellen O’Brien Williams was born September 7, 1928 in Waterbury, Connecticut to John Walter O’Brien and Eleanor Colwell O’Brien. She grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and in Gardner, Athol, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. She graduated as the Latin Scholar at Cambridge Latin School in 1946. She earned an A.B. in Social Relations from Radcliffe College in 1950, and a Bachelors of Science from Columbia-Presbyterian University in 1954. She worked at Columbia-Presbyterian for a few years before joining Lever Brothers as the company nurse until 1961. She married Bruce David Williams on February 20, 1960. She gave birth to Katherine Colwell Williams in 1961, followed by Nicole Hager Williams in 1965. The family lived in New York City until 1972, when they moved to Englewood, NJ. She stayed home to raise her family but remained active as a volunteer. For many years, she ran the Columbia University Scholarship Benefit fund which raised scholarship money for nursing students. She was also President of the Women’s Auxiliary of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, and in the 1980’s she served as chair of the Nursing Committee at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey. She remained active in supporting nurses and nursing throughout her life. In later life she returned to New York City to live near her daughter. She enjoyed reading and watching British mysteries and keeping up with current events. Her pumpkin and pecan pies with homemade whipped cream were a highlight of holiday meals for her large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her daughters Katherine (Reade) Fahs and Nicole Williams Dietrich, her grandchildren Virginia Fahs, Eleanor (Patrick) Fahs Knight, Ramsey Fahs and Franz Williams Dietrich as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be private at Deirdre’s request. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.
Anjali Chatterjee Saxena, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, passed away in New York City on January 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Lucknow, India to a prominent West Bengal family in 1930, Anjali spent her childhood and school years with her grandparents in Lucknow and summers at Uttarpara, her father’s family estate outside of Kolkata (then Calcutta). She grew up amongst a galaxy of individuals -- freedom fighters, painters, performing artists and educators. Her parents and grandparents recognized early on that Anjali was an exceptional student and encouraged her studies. Starting in 5th grade, she rose at 5 a.m. for her private Sanskrit lesson arranged by her father. Her grandfather would drill her on Shakespeare. Her grandmother mesmerized her with tales of the Hindu deities. Her mother encouraged her love of poetry and helped her learn English. After graduating from high school, Anjali enrolled as the only female in her science program at the University of Lucknow. There, she met her future husband Brij Saxena—they were each top of their class—with whom she shared a passion for both science and music. (Both were gifted singers and supported themselves by singing on All India Radio. Later in the US, both were integral in the Indian community’s local artistic/cultural activities.) In 1953, they married by choice, a rare occurrence at that time. She worked as a Junior Scientific Officer at the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, but soon, she and her husband were both offered scholarships to doctorate programs at the University of Münster in Germany. When Anjali arrived, she didn't speak a word of German but ended up excelling in both her PhD studies and the language. After returning to India for several years, in 1962, she and her two young sons joined her husband in the US. Raising their family in Englewood, NJ, Anjali taught for over 40 years at Seton Hall University and Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, retiring as Professor Emerita. Anjali mentored countless students and also continued research in animal behavior, endocrinology, and, most recently, magnetic resonance. Her husband became the Harold and Percy Uris Professor of Reproductive Biology at Cornell Weill/NY-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Anjali was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Brij. B. Saxena, and her son Sanjeet Saxena. She is survived and mourned by her son Ranjeet Saxena; her son's daughter Jaya and her mother Beth Johnson; her daughter-in-law Rochelle and her daughters Kiara and Alika; her brother Aparajit Chattopadhyay; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, the family asks that you make a donation to: SOFKIN https://sofkin.org/ World Wildlife Fund https://www.worldwildlife.org/ NYC's Wild Bird Fund https://www.wildbirdfund.org/
Paul Steven Stoler passed away peacefully in his sleep after a prolonged illness on Wednesday, January 8th. He was born on September 5th,1945, and was seventy-nine years of age. Paul was a wonderful, person, a fun and loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother and, devoted grampy. A natural storyteller, he was a force of nature and commanded the attention of any room he was in. Paul had a tremendous zest for living and we traveled to many exotic and exciting cities and countries over the years. Whether he was trying to swim with the dolphins in Greece, snapping photos of the elephants in Africa, sailing across the ocean to England, or taking in the view of the desert from the top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, he made every minute of our adventures special. He was born in Far Rockaway and grew up with his brother Richie, and cousins Gary, Linda, Bobby, and Andy, who lived nearby. He loved the beach there and we made many visits to see his ancestral home. Paul loved to fish and be anywhere near the water. We met in Amaganset over 50 years ago and have been together ever since. He worked in the restaurant business for many years, as an owner, manager, and later as a bartender. From there, he switched to working for the Census, and then for the TSA where he became a Master Trainer, helping to ensure nothing untoward slipped onto a plane. Paul loved spending time with his family: his brother Dan and sister-in-law Sue, his cousins Gary and Vicki, his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Mike, and, for the last 5 years, his granddaughter, Madison Grace, whom he loved to the moon and back. I think he was most sad that he would never see her again. We will all miss him so much. Memorial Service will be held at the John Krtil Funeral Home 1297 First Avenue (between 69-70 Sts.), NY, NY 10021, 646-347-6166 On Saturday, January 18th from 2-4 pm. Followed by a gathering at the home of Cathi Stoler 440 E. 62nd St. Apt. 5A NY, NY 10065 **For those unable to attend you can join the service via live stream at https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/paul-stoler For those choosing this option, if you have a story you would like to share, please email Lauren at lastoler@gmail.com and she will be happy to read it on your behalf. The family will be sitting Shiva on Sunday, January 19th and Monday, January 20th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the home of Cathi. In place of flowers, please consider a donation to the New York Presbyterian Cardiology Fund https://bit.ly/4fQEFTF
Lewis Ames Miller, who dedicated his life to family, to elevating those less fortunate than himself, and to improving the quality of medical care worldwide, passed away at home in Manhattan on December 28, 2024. He is survived by his daughter Kathryn, his son David and daughter-in-law Nina, two grandsons and two great-grandchildren, as well as the three children and two grandchildren of his dear twin brother Sandy. Lew was born in Brooklyn in 1928. It was there he met the love of his life, Jean (née Chandler), with whom he traveled the world and raised Dave, Kathy and several charismatic boxers. Lew and Jean settled in Darien, CT, where he was the first lay moderator of the First Congregational Church and fought for years to break down barriers to the development of affordable housing. Lew and Jean returned to New York City for their later years, and Lew was at Jean’s side when she passed away in 2015. Lew was a proud graduate of Princeton University; the time he spent writing for the Daily Princetonian inspired a lifelong career in journalism and publishing. He maintained a strong relationship with his classmates and the larger Princeton community, serving for five years as chair of Princeton’s alumni education programs and multiple times as president of his beloved Class of ‘49. Lew was the consummate globetrotter, travelling to all seven continents with Jean and his family and starting businesses that had presences in South America, Europe and Australia. Through one of these ventures, Lew hired a bright young Mexican engineer named Pedro Vera, starting a generation-spanning connection between Lew’s and Pedro’s families that remains strong to this day. Lew enjoyed a varied and successful career in business. He founded the Glastonbury Citizen, a weekly local newspaper that is still thriving almost 75 years later. He later moved into medical publishing, where he founded the revolutionary physicians’ journal Patient Care, published numerous articles and a book, and started up several companies and organizations. One of his many professional highlights came in 2017, when he received a Lifetime and Distinguished Service Award from the Alliance for Continuing Education of Health Professionals, which he founded in 1975. Eschewing a traditional retirement, Lew continued to travel and remained active in the continuing medical education field to the very end. In 2022, he founded Helping Immigrants Thrive, a New York-based charity helping undocumented immigrants become accommodated in their new home. Lew’s family remembers him for his generosity, devotion, sense of humor, wicked tennis serve, and dedication to the greater good. Two services to celebrate Lew’s life will be held. One in New York City on February 7, 2025 at 1 pm at Christ Church NYC located at 524 Park Avenue at 60th Street and the second in Darien, CT on Saturday February 8, 2025 at 1 pm in the First Congregational Church, 14 Brookside Road, Darien CT. Receptions will follow each service in the church Parish Halls. No flowers please. Contributions in his memory may be made to Helping Immigrants Thrive online through https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/4601712
John Yeatman Taggart, a nationally known tax lawyer in his working years passed away on December 30, 2024, with his daughters by his side. John was intelligent, humorous and goofy. He excelled in making up songs and poems spontaneously. He laughed uproariously at jokes he had told 100’s of times. He was a self-taught chef, woodworker, magician, Halloween costume maker, ballroom dancer, an insatiable music lover, and a world traveler. He loved New York City through and through. John loved all kinds of cocktails, a little too much, as the doormen in his building can attest to. His internal filter was a tad off kilter. For such a refined man who wore an ascot on his more casual days, he could really surprise his company, and later his caregivers, with his bawdy non-sequiturs. Born in Decatur, Illinois on March 9, 1932, he and his parents soon returned to the family farm in Delaware, Ohio to ride out the Depression. John’s bedroom was a converted porch with no heat. He excelled in school, and graduated from Ohio State University and was a lifetime fan of the Ohio State football team. He eventually earned a JD degree after 3 years of service as a navy air intelligence officer and a masters of law degree from New York University. By then he was married with children and a resident of New York City. John spent the rest of his life there (other than a short stint living in Arlington, Va. while working at the treasury department). John eventually became a citizen of France, after living there part time in his later years. After 23 years of marriage, he and his first wife, Marilyn Harris, divorced. His second marriage to Laura Lou Meadows ended with her death after 31 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Virginia Anne Wilson, and by his two daughters from his first marriage, Hilary Taggart Giffin, and Cassie Yeatman Taggart, as well as his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. John did not want a service. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to NY public library.