Obituary: John Rogers Decker, 91, Former Port Washington Resident

John Rogers Decker of Stuart, Florida, died peacefully on April 27, 2017. Formerly of Jefferson, New York and Port Washington, New York, he was 91.

Mr. Decker was born on November 26, 1925, in Newark, New Jersey to George R. and Elsie C. S. Decker. He grew up in Shrewsbury and Summit, New Jersey and spent weekends at the family home in Pine Plains, New York. Mr. Decker graduated from The Hill School in 1944 and Brown University in 1948. He was employed by Burlington Mills and later owned his own textile business, working from his office in The Empire State Building in New York City.

Mr. Decker served in the United States Army during World War II as a medic and received an honorable discharge. A longtime Sunday school teacher at Trinity Episcopal Church in Red Bank, New Jersey, Mr. Decker also enjoyed classical music, traveling, playing chess, trout fishing (especially in New England, with an occasional trip to Canada to fish with his father) and following the financial news. He was known for doing a backflip off a diving board when he was in his 70s. Always a prankster, he was blessed with a great sense of humor. Mr. Decker loved living in the country and was fondly known to many as “The Squire”. He never missed an opportunity to introduce his children and grandchildren to nature and the outdoors. Mr. Decker designed and funded, with his late brother Malcolm Decker, the Decker Prizes; literary scholarships which were awarded annually to honor-students in Milo and La Grange, Maine, in honor of their father, George R. Decker. The two brothers were continuous advocates of education and together shared an interest in the arts and wine.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Decker was predeceased by his wife, Marguerite Ann McElhone and his brother, Malcolm Decker. He is survived by his partner Colleen Weston; his daughters Lynda Decker Gallagher, JoAnne Decker Greenwood and Laurie Decker Pitcher; his son, John Barden Decker and his grandchildren, Colin Killalea, Peter Greenwood, Kelly Greenwood, Quinn Pitcher, Casey Pitcher and Mia Decker. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Laura Decker and his sons-in-law Greg Gallagher and John Greenwood.

A family memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Samuel Tucker Scholarship Fund, 435 Ferdinand Day Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Image and obituary courtesy of Lynda D. Gallagher