John A.T. Wilson

John A. T. Wilson died peacefully in the comfort of his home on July 25, 2025 after a period of declining health. He was 86 years old. He is survived by his loving, devoted spouse of 60 years, Penny, two children, Tierney and Tom (Elizabeth), and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Kate Welles-Snyder, and many nieces and nephews.

John was born in Hartford, CT to the late Mary and Alan Wilson just days before the Hurricane of 1938. He was raised in Glastonbury, CT where he explored the fields along the Connecticut River as a young boy looking for American Indian artifacts, fostering his lifelong interest in archeology and American history.

John graduated from the Kingswood-Oxford School in 1956 where he was a three-sport varsity athlete in football, wrestling and lacrosse. John went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Colby College (1960), after which he completed Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. John earned his commission as Lieutenant JG, reported to the USS Ranger aircraft carrier stationed in San Francisco Bay and was honorably discharged in December of 1963.

After serving in the Navy, John returned to the Hartford area to join Connecticut General’s financial training program, which launched his successful career in business and estate planning. In 1967, John started Business Planning Associates and was very active in the Hartford community. He led a number of business and nonprofit organizations, was a long-standing Trustee of the Kingswood-Oxford School and Director of The Durham Manufacturing Company.

In 1976, John fulfilled a lifelong dream to own a farm. He and Penny moved their family to North Canton, CT where they started Cherry Brook Farm. Beginning as a hobby, it quickly became a working farm and a local landmark. After John retired in 2002, he and Penny decided to sell the farm, but first worked with the town to ensure that the property would be preserved as farmland in perpetuity.

Newly retired, John was beckoned to the Sarasota, FL area by his Colby friends. It was here that he and Penny purchased a home and spent the next 20+ years until his passing. John was an active fisherman and golfer, but nothing gave him greater joy than spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was kind, humble, generous and inquisitive with a great sense of humor. John was always learning and willing to pass on his knowledge, and was a mentor to many. He taught mostly by example though, through his hard work, strong values and loving devotion to his faith, family, friends and community.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Right Accord caregivers who treated John with exceptional kindness, dignity and respect.

There will be a memorial service to honor John, the details of which will be announced by the family at a later date.