NEW CANAAN, CONN John W. F. Randolph of New Canaan passed away on Monday, March 08, 2010 in Norwalk Hospital following a short illness. He was 85. Born in Montclair, NJ, on April 12, 1924, John was the son of the late Alan F. and Elizabeth (Williams) Randolph and graduated from the Loomis Chaffee School of Windsor, Conn, in 1942. He served in the US Army during WWII and was stationed in France, Germany, and England. He was honorably discharged in 1945. After returning from the US Army, John worked for McCann-Erickson Co. In 1956, John and his wife Ruth settled in New Canaan. John was the Director of Advertising at Polychrome Corp. of Yonkers, NY, for thirty years and retired in 1991. After retirement, John was a dedicated volunteer at the New Canaan Library for 18 years, where he was Chairman of the library's Book Sales as well as a board member of the Friends of the New Canaan Library and of the Friends of Connecticut Libraries. During this time, the books sales raised more than half a million dollars, which helped the Friends sponsor the beloved "Notes in Midwinter" concert series, book and film discussions, author visits, children's activities, and supported the Library collections and some building and furniture needs. In 2009, the book sale was officially renamed "The John Randolph Book Sale" in honor of his leadership and efforts. John was passionate about classical and early jazz music. During his lifetime, he studied and engaged in multiple creative arts, which included painting, photography, weaving, and basket-making. He was a devoted member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, visiting there monthly up to this past month. John was also a fervent civil rights supporter and a longtime member of the NAACP. He was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, and friend and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. John is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-three years, Ruth R. (Ratner) Randolph; his son, Reed F., and his wife, Lida Randolph, of Scottsdale, AZ; his daughter, Chris F., and her husband, Khader Humied, of Pomona, NY; and three nephews. A service celebrating John's life will be held on Saturday April 10th 2010 from 3-5 PM in the Adrian Lamb Room at the New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840. Memorial Contributions may be made to the New Canaan Library or the Loomis Chaffee School, 4 Batchelder Road, Windsor, CT 06095. The family has selected Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street to assist them with the arrangements.
To order
memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John W.F. Randolph, please visit our
flower store.
