John Timothy Wittschen of Westhampton Beach died on January 24 at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton, of brain cancer. He was 28.
Born May 26, 1980, in Bay Shore, “Tim,” as he was affectionately known by family, moved with his parents to Westhampton Beach when he was 3. A member of the golf and tennis teams at Westhampton Beach High School, he graduated in 1998. Also a member of Rotary Interact, he represented the club at the Lake Placid student conference and received a Rotary scholarship.
He attended the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, graduating in 2002 with a major in history and a minor in political science and criminal justice. He worked at the Bank of Smithtown as a staff trainer for five years before becoming ill.
Family members said last week that Mr. Wittschen touched many people during the course of his life and was loved by all who knew him. He was joyful and caring, always ready with the right thing to say, they added, and had a gift of making others feel special.
The family received visitors on January 26 at the Follet and Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. A funeral mass was held on January 27 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton Beach, with his cousin, Monsignor John Gilmartin, and Father Joseph Mirro officiating.
In addition to his parents, John and Sharon Wittschen of Westhampton Beach, he is survived by his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Westhampton Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 124, Westhampton, NY 11977 would be appreciated by the family.
on Feb 4, 2009