John M. Witheford (95) passed away on April 17, 2026, after a short illness.
 
He was born in 1930 in Sheffield, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1943. John attended St. Andrew’s School and the University of Delaware, where he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He spent his entire professional career with American Cyanamid (later Cytec), working in Wayne, New Jersey and Stamford, Connecticut, where he met his future wife, Dorothy. Over his 40 years with the company, he held a variety of roles, traveled extensively, and was granted nine patents. He especially cherished his two years in Mobara, Japan, with Dorothy and their three young children, overseeing the construction and startup of a large chemical plant. Both he and Dorothy embraced life in Japan, building lasting friendships, and he returned often over the years during his career.
 
Upon retiring to Cape Cod in 1990, John devoted much of his time to fly fishing from his boat, surf casting from the shore, walking in the conservation areas with his dogs, and gardening with Dorothy. He loved wooden boats and was proud of the wooden skiff he built and the wooden sailboat he owned. John was a generous host, welcoming his children and their families for summer visits and always making sure everyone enjoyed boat rides and time fishing. He also volunteered for community efforts, maintaining the Herring Run in Brewster and taking part in Canal Cleanups with the Cape Cod Salties. At age 89, he retired after 28 years of delivering for Meals on Wheels. John enjoyed nothing more than a good fire, a good discussion, and a scotch—though it didn’t have to be a good one.
 
John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorothy, and his brother David. He found companionship and joy in his later years with his wife, Lesley Miller, who survives him. John is survived by his three children—Eileen (Francis) of Knoxville, Tennessee; Geoffrey (Laura) of Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Thomas (Heather) of Charleston, South Carolina—along with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Lesley’s children – Kim (Peter) of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Lisa (Bryant) of Plymouth, Massachusetts along with 4 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
 
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 9.