John Alphonso Wilkinson Jr.

JOHN A. WILKINSON JR., 75 - EX-SYRACUSE CHINA FOREMAN August 16, 1996 | Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) Author: Suzanne M. Jackson Staff Writer | Page: A16 | Section: Obit John A. Wilkinson Jr. worked hard all his life, beginning as a teen-ager who didn't go to high school because he needed to help support his family during the Depression. In later years, as a young father, he sometimes worked three jobs to make ends meet. He retired because illness forced him to. "My father did anything and everything he needed to do to take care of his family," said Wendy Briscoe, one of Mr. Wilkinson's daughters. "I didn't see much of him sometimes because he was working so much. But any free moment he had, no matter how tired he was, there was always time to tuck us into bed or tell us a story." Mr. Wilkinson was 75 when he died Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. He lived at 102 Sutton Drive, Camillus, the Cape Cod-style home he and his wife, June, bought in 1953. Mr. Wilkinson had been ill for many years, diagnosed with emphysema soon after he retired in 1982. He was born in Syracuse and grew up on Erie Street, attending the Porter School. He lived most of his life on Sutton Drive. Mr. Wilkinson's first job, as a teen, was in the clay shop at Syracuse China where many of his relatives also worked. He remained there 45 years. He retired in 1982 as foreman of the clay shop. He also served in World War II. When his children were growing up, Mr. Wilkinson always made sure they had a real summer vacation. For many years, they went to a place near Utica called Pine Lake that was owned by Syracuse China. Company families stayed in secluded cabins that dotted the lake's perimeter. Other years, there were camping trips to Maine and North Carolina and Lake George. "Those were the days when kids could pretty much do things without fear, and giving us summer vacations where there were lots of things for us to do was important to my father," Briscoe said. "His children always came first, and he loved to give them a good time when he could," said Mr. Wilkinson's wife. Mr. Wilkinson had no formal schooling, but he was adept at carpentry, car repair and many other things around his home. He loved to fish and hunt in younger years. His daughter spoke today of her father's patience and the gentle, guiding hand he provided. "There's nothing in particular that makes him exceptional," Briscoe said. "It's just the whole package ... and he was perfect." Mr. Wilkinson was a member of Fairmount Community Church and Camillus Senior Citizens. He was a former member of the golf and bowling leagues at Syracuse China. He spent four years in the Marines during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater. A daughter, Pamela, died in 1954 when she was 10 months old. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, the former June Lamica; a son, Wayne of Potsdam; two daughters, Deborah Dudzinski and Wendy Briscoe, both of North Syracuse; four sisters, Leona Secor of Kirkville, Martha Warner of Syracuse, Sally Walker of Cicero and Anne Ludwig of Mexico; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Fairmount Community Church, the Rev. Robert Browne officiating. Burial is in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Warners. Calling hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St., Camillus. Contributions may be made to Fairmount Community Church, 4801 W. Genesee St., Syracuse 13219.

John Alphonso Wilkinson Jr.

August 28, 1920 - August 15, 1996