Anthony Wise
West Chester, Pa. — With great sadness, the family of Anthony John “Jake” Wise shares the news of his death on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, after a short illness.
He leaves two sisters, Patty Bazemore of McIntosh, Fla., and Jackie Wise of Pittsburgh, Pa.; as well as his wife, Linda A. Wise; and four children, Michael Wise (and Jackie Kerr) of Frankfurt, Germany, Nicole Wise of New Haven, Valerie and Michael McDonald of West Chester, Pa., and Clair Wise and Carsten Nilsson of Ellicott City, Md. He also leaves 12 grandchildren, Philipp, Louise and Emily Wise; Ian, Bradley and Holly Sloss and Devin Shanahan, Shane and Aidan McDonald, and Kasper and Anders Nilsson; and one great-grandson, Levi Golub Sloss. He also leaves behind countless friends; and his dearly loved black lab, Lavender.
He is predeceased by one grandson, Ben McDonald (1990-2016); and by his parents, A.J. “Jack” Wise and Betty Poppell.
Born in 1933, Jake graduated from Amherst College in 1955. A pilot, he learned to fly at age 14; served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, where he earned the rank of commander; and was a pilot for TWA from 1966 to 1989. A resident of Pawcatuck, from 2003-2016, Jake was an active volunteer at Mystic Seaport. From 2014 to 2016 he was president of the Library Fellows of the G. W. Blunt White Library of the Seaport, and from 2012 to 2014 served as vice president. In 2016 he was the recipient of the Library Fellows Award, recognizing his contribution to the library and his years of service. He was an avid reader with a particular interest in maritime history, and was a reviewer of articles submitted for publication in “Coreolis,” an online journal of the Mystic Seaport. He and his wife moved to West Chester, Pa., in 2016.
Defined by curiosity and a passion for science and history, Jake never stopped learning and educating himself about how the world works. In retirement he took classes at Western Connecticut State College, Norwalk Community College and the University of Connecticut. He read constantly and cared deeply about nature, including animals, plants and the weather. He loved every single one of his many pets.
The family will honor Jake with a small, private memorial service at the end of March.
No flowers, please; those who’d like to honor Jake with a contribution may consider Mystic Seaport, directing the gift “to support the curatorial work at the library.” Cards and letters may be sent to Linda Wise or other family members at 910 Norwood Road, West Chester, PA 19382.