On a beautiful Fall Tuesday, November 2, 2021, our beloved John H. Jorgensen left on his final adventure after a battle with metastatic melanoma. The son of Herbert J. Jorgensen and Harriet Jones Jorgensen, John was born in Hartford on May 11, 1939. He grew up in East Hartford and went to Silver Lane School, Sunset Ridge and was in the first class at the new East Hartford High School on Burnside Avenue.

He was a Boy Scout in Troop 1, the oldest Boy Scout troop in the nation, and loved the hikes, camping and lessons learned from scouting. He worked on tobacco farms and never missed a chance to earn some extra money, enjoying coin collecting and saving for the future.

In 1963 he met Louita Cersosimo at Friendly’s and at the Burnside School playground where she worked during the summer. He waited for, and supported her in her quest to become a teacher. They married in 1966 and were blessed with two wonderful children: Eric John and Jennifer Ann.

John supported his family by working for East Hartford Warehouse as a Teamster, and the East Hartford School System as a custodian until his retirement on his 62nd birthday. During retirement he achieved his goals of traveling to all 50 states, and seeing other countries. He enjoyed his condo in North Truro on Cape Cod, and then moved south to Deerfield Beach, Florida. During COVID-19 he returned to East Hartford and the safety of Connecticut.

John will always be remembered for his love of children, animals, and plants; his work ethic, and his respect for the rights of others. He was strong and quiet and a true gentleman with a quick wit and sense of humor. His ability to make you laugh was cherished by those who knew him. He was the ‘wind beneath the wings’ of his beloved wife of 55 years, Louita. John was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Barbara Frank.

He leaves the joys of his life: His son Eric, daughter-in-law Charlotte and grandson Zachary of Stafford Springs; and his daughter Jennifer Arpin, son-in-law Ron and granddaughter Elizabeth Arpin of AZ to remember him. Also, lovingly, his sister-in-law Mary Ingalls and brother-in-law, Daniel Cersosimo, along with many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in his name to Saint Francis Foundation-Cancer Care at St. Francis, saintfrancisdonor.com. Donations can also be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, http://www.melanoma.com

Private funeral arrangements are in care of the Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, www.NewkirkandWhitney.com