John Bartholomew

John began his journey on October 3, 1945 in Jamestown NY. The son of Cecil and Jane Bartholomew and younger brother of Ronald, John and his family relocated to Pittsburgh, PA for a short time before returning to Jamestown where he spent most of his teenaged years.

Cecil Bartholomew was a towering figure in John's life. A true entrepreneur, the elder Bartholomew owned Wades Shoe Company, an undertaking that boasted several locations, perhaps most notably one at the Chautauqua Institution, a well-known summer resort residing on 2,070 acres some 17 miles northwest of Jamestown. Cecil's inspiration to John could be seen in the glint of John's eyes as the latter would recall the times during his teens where, when in need of anything, Cecil would direct his son to go to this store or that, and instruct him simply, "...tell them you're Cecil Bartholomew's boy..." That magical phrase would be met with John's needs fulfilled.

As he'd wanted for little growing up, John's early years were afforded with significantly more free time than many of his peers. It's fair to say that he filled time outside of working for his father, with impish vigor as opposed to sports and run-of-the mill hobbies. (Wink!)

After graduating from Jamestown H.S., he made 3 stops en route to earning his Bachelor's of Arts Degree. He matriculated at Temple University before transferring to the Tyler School of Fine Arts. From there, it was the University of Rochester (NY) where he was granted his degree. Not long after graduating, as with many young men of his generation, John was drafted to serve in the US military in the summer of 1969.

By 1971, he was stationed in Viet Nam, a time that would have a profound personal effect on him. It would be no surprise to anyone familiar with John's steadfast character that he earned a VN Service Medal along with a Bronze Star.

Upon returning stateside, John went to work with his father for a time before other opportunities opened up. In the later 1970s, he began work as a national sales manager for major giftware and silk flower importer based in NYC. The job necessitated significant travel both domestically and internationally.

His home base now in NYC metro area in the heady times of the early 1980s he would experience the most significant opportunity of his life. It was in 1982 that he would meet the love of his life, Rob. Together, they spent years in New Jersey, in the shadow of NYC. There, they were part of, and often the center of, a swirling circle of friends who enjoyed dinner parties, theater, and all that the area offered. The delight they took in entertaining was obvious to all, and would remain so throughout the rest of their time together.

In 1995, John changed his career course, joining Weichert Realtors and quickly rising to become one of the company's most successful realtors. The combination of his charm, gift of gab, sly humor and natural insightfulness were the keys to the lasting success he experienced in the field. 6 years later, Rob would retire early from an equally successful and lengthy career with AT&T to join John at Weichert. They remained employed there until the allure of retirement, a slower pace, and a warmer climate led them to relocate to the sunshine and palm trees of St. Petersburg. FL.

With the legalization of same-sex marriage, the couple would be able to formalize their decades-long commitment in 2015. They did so in an intimate ceremony in Tampa, FL.

Their time in Florida would be an extension of their life in the Northeast. They made fast friends with many and hosted fabulous dinner parties.

Another common thread in John's life was his position as a very proud pet Papa, no doubt rooted from his adoration of his childhood dog, Duke. Rob and John shared 3 cats over their time together; Mitzi, Abigail and Lucy. But it would be a snow white Bichon-Maltese, Oliver, who truly had John's heart. Joining the family in 2000, Oliver would spend 17 years basking in earned adoration.

As with many, the onset of Covid would begin a roller coaster of health challenges for John. The necessarily limited social interactions of the time were affecting to be sure, but a series of worsening respiratory ailments proved to compromise the quality of what should have been his golden years. He was still able to enjoy, albeit in limited form, his delight in all things English and the monarchy. There was, til the end, the comfort of his cat Lucy, and of course, the enduring and unconditional love of his husband.

So it was fitting, that in a life greatly blessed, he was able to be home in familiar surroundings, next to whom he loved most, when he took his final breath.

John Arthur Bartholomew.