John Charles Lehman

His life was rich with purpose, adventure, and connection—and those who knew him will carry his memory with great affection.

Born on April 22, 1941, in New York City, he grew up in White Plains, NY, and graduated from White Plains High School in 1959. John was an exceedingly proud 1963 graduate of Dartmouth College, where he found both education and enduring friendships that shaped his life.

John began his career in advertising in New York City, specializing in the rapidly growing broadcast television industry. But it was outdoor marketing that would become his true calling — a natural convergence of his love for TV, his time spent hunting and fishing, and his genuine connection with people. He had a rare gift for finding where story, commerce, and human connection meet, and he built something lasting from it.

John published The Fish & Game Forecaster and Moon Clock for over 30 years, and they have become respected resources still in print today—an enduring piece of his legacy.

In April 1990, John married Sharon, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, and unwavering companionship. John & Sharon made homes in Old Greenwich and Atlanta, GA, but it was Block Island, RI—where he’d summered since 1976—that became his soul’s retreat.

A longtime board member of the Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI), John worked passionately to support ocean education and preserve the island’s treasured Great Salt Pond. Whether helping with fundraising or quietly attending programs, he gave his time generously to causes he believed in for his beloved island. He carried his love for Block Island skyward, spending years sharing celestial updates and observations on the Block Island Bulletin Board. His posts became a beloved staple for islanders, who were treated to his insights about the heavens right up until his final days.

It was on BI where John and Sharon formed deep, joyful friendships that became a treasured part of their life together. The moments and memories shared there—often over a good meal, a bottle of wine, and a story well told—meant the world to him.

Throughout his life, John found his greatest peace and purpose on the water or in the woods. Whether at the helm of a boat, casting a line, or simply listening to the wind in the trees, he felt at home in the natural world. He was a calm presence, a deep listener, and someone who made others feel at ease—whether in a boardroom, on a boat, or at the dinner table.

John is survived by his loving wife Sharon, daughters Kristin (Rob) Browne of Bristol, RI, and Heather (Dave) Fenity of Pittsfield, VT; Frank (Suzanne) Farricker of Norwalk, CT; Tracy (Darrell) Farricker of Norwalk, CT, and Lisa Farricker of Winchester, VA; his grandchildren Oliver and Benjamin Browne, Reese Fenity, Eric (Carol) Kropp, Elizabeth Kropp, Alexandra and Christian Farricker, and Steven Farricker as well as his brother and friend Jeffrey.

John leaves behind not only a lifetime of accomplishments and experiences but a quiet, enduring impact on the lives of those who knew and loved him. John lived with intention, generosity, and joy—and he will be missed dearly.

A celebration of life will take place on Block Island, RI on August 8, 2026, at 4pm at BIMI.

All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BIMI, Block Island Maritime Institute https://blockislandmaritime.org/ or to Blood Cancer United https://bloodcancerunited.org