John
Kirk Westinghouse died peacefully at his home in East Charleston,
Vt., on October 29, 2024. John was born in Buffalo, N.Y., to Dr.
Walter David Westinghouse and Elizabeth Wende Westinghouse. At the
age of 18 months, he traveled with his family to Sun Valley, Idaho,
where his father was a U.S. Navy doctor during World War II. They
returned to Williamsville, N.Y., at the end of the war. John
graduated from Williamsville High School and Mitchell College in New
London, Conn. He attended the University of Connecticut.
John
was a Renaissance man, proficient in a wide range of fields. At
various times in his life he taught sailing; rebuilt old barns in the
Mount Snow area; played a guittaron (Mexican bass) in New York City
music venues; and ran several businesses in Hartford, Conn., helping
in a downtown revival. There he ran the Sandal Shop leather business
— retail and wholesale — for seven years. He also traveled around
the U.S. participating in the National Boutique Shows, showcasing the
leather goods from the Sandal Shop.
In
1969, he and a group of friends bought land in East Charleston, Vt.,
and cofounded a community. He felt this was one of his greatest
accomplishments.
John
was a hard worker and an entrepreneur and enjoyed learning new skills
and participating in a variety of adventures, including setting up
the kitchen in Calico Pizza, the first pizza place in Jackson Hole,
Wyo.; teaching sailing; marketing the Green Mountain Trading Post;
and running a restaurant in the Osbourne Hotel (now the Essex House)
in Island Pond, Vt. He was also a carpenter and ran a contracting
company building homes in the area, including Timberpeg post-and-beam
homes.
John
finished his career working for the State of Vermont in its Property
Valuation and Review (PVR) Division for 17 years. There he assisted
up to 45 towns yearly with reporting requirements for the state. John
was responsible for creating a grading-system matrix the state uses
when valuing improvements. After his PVR retirement, John continued
to serve both as lister for his town and, recently, as assessor for
Groton.
For
relaxation, John was an avid golfer and played in a league for many
years. He inspired others with his crossword and bridge skills.
John
met his wife, Carol O. Smith, in 1985, while building a Timberpeg
studio for his sister in New York’s Finger Lakes. Carol returned
with him to the community in Vermont, and they started their family
with the addition of their son, Walter David Westinghouse.
He
was a devoted father who spent hours at sports practices and events,
driving to and from Revolutionary War reenactments, and at band
practices and performances. John was a loving husband who supported
the right of women to choose their own paths through life.
After
John retired at the age of 76, he and his son built a family-designed
home in East Charleston. There he enjoyed the last years of his life
on the land and with the family and friends he loved. He died
surrounded by his beloved family: Carol, Walter and fiancée Dr.
Camilla Jamieson, and Dr. Mary Ready.
John
was one of 10 children and was inspired throughout his life by his
mother. He is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Walter David
Westinghouse (Dr. Camilla Jamieson); sisters and brothers Dr. Wende
Young, Bessie Burton, Dr. Walter David (Min Tzu) Westinghouse, Marcia
Hoffman, Mark (Dr. Darlene) Westinghouse, Ann (Dr. John) Norlund, Dr.
Andrea Westinghouse (Kevin O’Shaughnessy) and Linda Westinghouse
(Peter Taylor); and their children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
John
was predeceased by his parents and his sister Susan Kirk Mair Brown
(Westinghouse).
A
celebration of his life will be held in July. For more information on
details, email westiesjk@gmail.com. Donations in John’s memory may
be made to Slamt1d, whose mission is to empower people
of all ages affected by type 1 diabetes, or to an organization of
your choice.
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2024.