John Whitla

John B. Whitla once wrote this line in one of his beautiful poems, The Narrow Gate. "And keep the Holy Covenant with the Lord Christ, to come to him through the narrow gate, one by one…" on Sunday, July 24, Jack walked through that narrow gate into the arms of his Lord, Christ.

John (Jack) was born in Newark, NJ on January 23, 1928. His family resided in Arlington, NJ. He graduated from Kearny High School and subsequently from Johns Hopkins University with majors in organic chemistry and mathematics. He initially worked at Merck and Company, originally as an organic research chemist. After publishing innovative research in respected academic journals he joined administration of the company in wage and salary administration, specializing in executive compensation issues that led to his lead role in policy mergers. Since he also managed innovative college recruitment, Raytheon Company sought Jack to manage their college recruitment program. Not only did he increase the annual graduate hire rate by 400%, but innovated graduate education partnerships with Harvard, M.I.T. and Northeastern University among others. Northeastern attracted Jack as Personnel Director and promoted him as Assistant to the President to focus on federal and congressional relations. He increased university federal funding from $500,000 to $4 million per year in only three years. This led to Jack's proudest moments as he answered JFK’s call to “ask what you can do for your country”. He became a public servant in the federal government in 1971. He designed the foundation for VISTA, a domestic version of the Peace Corps. He ultimately became Deputy Director of Management and Organization for the Office of Administration and Finance. There he designed and supported many initiatives that addressed pressing social issues. Jack proudly laid the groundwork for what became the Foster Grandparent Program which provided senior volunteers to mentor thousands of children in need. He retired in 1995, but turned his time towards further volunteer service with various programs such as Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Club, mentoring, and Grove Christian Outreach.

While working in Washington, DC John met the love of his life, Joan Zaremski, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the National Zoological Park. They were married on September 2, 1978 at Georgetown University and resided in Reston, then Leesburg, Virginia, ultimately retiring to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2000. John was a lifelong Episcopalian and passionately devoted to Jesus Christ. He served on several vestries over the years, and as a member of Bruton Parish served in several ministries including Pastoral Care, Library Committee and the Homeless Shelter. John's other interests included tree farming, gardening, travel, writing and especially studies in Theology.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John William Whitla and Josephine Agatha Eagleson Whitla; brothers, William Eagleson Whitla and Ensign Robert Stearly Whitla; sister, Dorothy Elizabeth Rodda; and son, Bradford Stearly Whitla. John is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; daughter Hollis of Newton, MA; sons, Randall (Mary) of Leicester, MA and Andrew (Ruth) of Shakopee, MN; sister, Ruth Durie; niece, Dr. Dorothy (Peter) Bobbe of Burnsville, NC; nephews Dr. William (Trish) Durie of Hibbing, MN and Robert (Nancy) Durie of Princeton, NJ; nieces, Barbara Lewis, Colorado Springs, CO, Kathleen (Robert) Hirsch, Owls Head, ME and Elizabeth (William) Hannaman, San Diego, CA; nephew, Richard (Lynn) Rodda, Wilmington, NC; and grandchildren, Jared, Cole, Nathanael, and Ethan; plus seventeen grandnieces and grandnephews. He will also be missed by Joan’s sister, Dr. Helen Zaremski (Joe) Sobehart, of Orlando, FL; as well as numerous neighbors and friends.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice and Bayada Home Healthcare for their loving support, especially Marlene, CNA, for her excellent care and for being his spiritual companion on the way.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, August 10th at 1:00 PM at Bruton Parish Church, 331 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA, with a reception to follow at the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Bruton Parish Church or Alzheimer's Association National, 213 McLaws Cir, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Funeral arrangements by Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg, VA. Online condolences may be offered at .www.nelsencares.com.

Jack's fondest desire, as he wrote in The Narrow Gate, is that we would all become "Forever pilgrims on a spiritual journey home”.