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John J. Wilkinson, Sr., of Branford died Sept. 18 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Chellon “Tammie” Larson Wilkinson. John was born in Bridgeport Dec. 30, 1955, son of Rosemarie Schlenk Wilkinson of Fairfield and the late John A. Wilkinson.

John graduated from Fairfield Preparatory School and Fairfield University. A medical supply sales rep for many years, his true ministry was a lifelong dedication to community service and love of neighbor. An Eagle Scout, John served as a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 428; a member and past president of the Branford Lions Club, where he was a recipient of the Knight of the Blind and Melvin Jones award; a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eldorado Council 10; and communicant of St. Mary Church.

Besides his wife and mother, John is survived by his son John J. “JJ” Wilkinson, Jr., of Tacoma, Washington; his brother Joseph A. Wilkinson and his wife Eileen of Greenwich; his sister Diane Foley and her husband Daniel of Bristol; his aunt Grace McPadden; and many special nieces and nephews.

The visiting hours will be Sept. 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 N. Main St., Branford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Sept. 23 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary Church, with burial to follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Columbus House, a homeless services organization that meant so much to John, 586 Ella T. Grasso Blvd., New Haven, CT 06519. For directions and an online memorial, visit www.wsclancy.com.