Frederick C Witsell Jr.

John passed away peacefully at his beloved Florida home on July 15, 2021, surrounded by his family after a long illness. He was 87 years old and spent much of his time talking and visiting with the many people close to him right up to the end of his life.

John was born on March 22,1934 in Orange, NJ to Frederick C. Witsell and Elizabeth Moehring Witsell. He was the loving husband of Daphne Towne Witsell,.deceased on June 10, 2008, for over 52 years, and the beloved father of Deborah Witsell Vivian, South Hamilton, MA, and Frederick C. Witsell, lll, Pawling, N.Y. John was also the proud grandfather of: Haley Dolan Witsell, Katharine Towne Witsell, Donald Witsell Vivian, and John Chaplin Vivian. His sister, Elizabeth Witsell Eaton, predeceased him in 2003.

John attended Collegiate School in New York City, and graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, NH in 1952. He earned a BA in Economics at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA in 1956. After graduation he entered the US Army and served honorably for two years in the Nike missile service, retiring as a 1st lieutenant. John started his professional career at a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers and soon joined JP Morgan as a trainee in 1959. He enjoyed a long and successful career at Morgan, before retiring as a Managing Director in 1993 to become a director and Vice Chairman of JP Morgan FSB in Palm Beach, FL. He held that position until the firm merged with Chase in 2000.

Outside of work, John was a trusted advisor to various institutions, including: Trustee of Saint Paul's School, and President of the SPS Alumni Association; Trustee of the Village of Lattingtown; Trustee and Treasurer of Green Vale School, and; served as Governor and Treasurer of Piping Rock Club. In business John was a long term of Director of Penn Virginia Corporation, and a Director of Mercom Corporation.

On moving to Florida he served on the Vestry and Outreach committee of Christ Memorial Chapel, Jupiter Island FL; a Board member of Treasure Coast Hospice, Stuart, FL; and President and Life board member of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Hobe Sound, FL.

John loved being with close friends and family. He was an enthusiastic golfer and bridge partner, and he was shrewd manager of his personal assets. He enjoyed the community and friendships he developed at many different club organizations and at various times was a member of: Piping Rock, Meadow Brook, Pine Valley, Bald Peak Colony, Ekwanok, Loblolly, Seminole and The Everglades.

Services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, 11500 SE Lares Ave, Hobe Sound, FL 33475 or www.bgcmartin.org, or Treasure Coast Hospice,1201 SE Indian St, Stuart, FL 34997 or at www.treasurehealth.org