When John Tiebout was born on August 6, 1925, he was welcomed by his parents, John Tiebout, Sr. and Irene Walmsley Lynch, and his sisters, Anna and Mary. Young John grew up in Larchmont, NY, and upon graduation from New Rochelle High School, enrolled in the Admiral Ballard Academy. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, beginning officer’s training school at Yale. John served as a Lieutenant JG on the LST 1020 in the Pacific during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Yale to finish his studies, graduating with the Class of ’48.
Through mutual friends, he was introduced to Patricia Peck. Their 72-year marriage began in 1949. John worked at W & J Tiebout, a marine hardware business that had been established in 1853 by his ancestors in New York. John and Patty lived in Levittown, LI, where they welcomed their son, John Tiebout III, and daughter, Janet. After a move to Dobbs Ferry, NY, their daughter Mary was born.
In 1957, the family moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, where John’s long career of community service began. He joined the Riverview Manor Hose Co., #3, serving as Captain in the ’60s. At the same time, he served as Deacon at the South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, and he was elected for two terms as a Trustee of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.
Following the sale of W & J Tiebout, John worked for the Campbell Chain Co., first as a Territory Sales Manager. With his warm sense of humor and thoughtful interactions, he was loved by his customers and deeply appreciated by younger team members whom he mentored. In 1979, John and Patty moved to Seattle, WA, where John became the company’s Regional Sales Manager for the Pacific Northwest. While preparing to move back East, and having enjoyed the university community in Seattle, they chose to live in Princeton, moving here in 1982.
John continued to work for several more years, and when he retired he brought his warm and cheerful spirit to the Medical Center at Princeton (the old hospital) where he contributed 1,626 hours volunteering on the menus team. He also served as an usher at Nassau Presbyterian Church, and on the Board of the Newgrange School. He was a member of The Old Guard of Princeton.
John was a fan of the NY Yankees and was in the stands in October of 1956 when Don Larsen pitched that perfect game. Along with watching his kids play sports, and hours of playing catch, John enjoyed boating, waterskiing, and playing paddle tennis. After he retired, he was able to join a group of friends at the Princeton Country Club. In golf, as in life, he followed this good advice: Try not to make too many unforced errors.
“Poppy” brought joy to his grandchildren, Jack and James Tiebout, Meredith and Christopher Hanson, and Johanna and Eli Evans. He enjoyed the company of his son- and daughters-in-law, Nato Evans, Wendy Satin and Barbara Johnson. His great-grandchildren, Finn, Eleanor, Thea, Henry, Penelope, and those to follow, will delight in memories and stories about him.
Throughout his life John spent vacation time with his high school buddies, Jim Huntington, Howard Snider, Fred Yarrington and Ferris Conklin, and their families. Among his many friends in Hastings were “The Piggers,” a group connected to the firehouse, most of whom were Patty’s high school friends. They got together often, a couple of times to roast a pig, but most often to roast a hamburger while all the kids ran around in the backyard. Gatherings with John’s sisters and their families, the Vosburghs and Reismans, brimmed with laughter and love.
Patty was the love of John’s life, and when he began to show signs of dementia, she showed her great strength and devotion by doing all she could to help him at home. Following her death in 2022, at age 98, John was able to stay at home with the help and companionship of his three children. A bit of luck led to the discovery of Town Square, an adult activities center near Princeton. For nearly two years, John brought joy to the other members and to the staff, in particular, Shannon and Nicole, who, with unlimited goodness and humor, have created a delightful community of friends.
Many thanks to Ana for bringing her magnificent smile and caring heart every Sunday afternoon for almost three years. Deepest thanks to neighbors who have offered their friendship, who have offered their help, and then their sincere condolences. We’re grateful to Dr. John Sierocki, and members of his staff, especially Allyn, for decades of skillful and kind-hearted care.
On January 7, John watched the funeral service for President Jimmy Carter, hearing the beautiful Navy Hymn just moments before he died. A brief celebration of John and Patty’s lives was held at Rowayton Union Cemetery, in Connecticut, where members of the Navy Honor Guard played Taps and presented the flag. Arrangements were made by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, and the family is grateful for their guidance. We would also like to thank members of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad and the Princeton Police Department, especially Patrolman Frank Pinelli, who provided assistance, information, and genuine humanity, somehow holding John’s beautiful spirit aloft in that moment. That was a gift.
The passing of John Tiebout leaves a great chasm in the lives of family members, neighbors, and friends, who loved John’s joy of living. If you knew John and wish to remember him, any act of warmth or kindness would honor his memory and brighten our world, and we would be most grateful.
