John Wheaton Dies At 69

John F. Wheaton

John Wheaton of East Hampton died while vacationing at his favorite getaway in Aruba on Sunday, February 5. He was 69 and had been battling methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, for 18 months.

Mr. Wheaton was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated from Holy Cross College, lettering in football, baseball and basketball. He still holds the record as the starting quarterback for the varsity team for four consecutive years. He was also an accomplished golfer, winning tournaments both in the U.S. and abroad. His bragging rights included beating Arnold Palmer at the Xerox Invitational in the early 1980s.

Mr. Wheaton began his lengthy insurance career in the early 70s when he joined Houston General Insurance Company as vice president of operations. He went on to work for WR Berkley Corp. and then Equitable General Insurance as president and CEO. In 1982, he founded Wheaton Enterprises, an insurance consulting firm specializing in finance and agency management practices. In 1984, he relocated to East Hampton and joined the Edward F. Cook Agency as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He subsequently moved to Chicago, Illinois, with his wife Holly Reichart. Together they ran an insurance brokerage firm for 12 years.

After being convinced that Lake Michigan was not an ocean, the Wheatons moved back east, considered home, where he not only continued to consult with insurance agencies throughout the country but he also found time to enjoy the finer things in life, such as clamming, fishing, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren. Many summer nights were spent barbecuing at Maidstone Beach with good friends and family.

Mr. Wheaton is survived by his wife Holly; children, Ryann Brennan of East Hampton, Michael Wheaton and Shelly Wheaton of Texas, William Wheaton of Virginia; grandchildren, Paige and Taylor Wheaton of Texas, Madison and Mariann Brennan of East Hampton, and Jacob, Luke and Michael of California; and nieces, Lindsay and Devon Reichart.

A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m. at Green River Cemetery in Springs.