John August Wilken Sr. passed away peacefully on the morning of May 2, 2020 at the age of 86 at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY from complications with the Covid-19 virus. He was born on January 6, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to Hans and Helen Wilken. John was a kind-hearted man with an infectious smile whose life was dedicated to his family and serving others. He served as an Explosive Ordinance specialist (EOD) in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1956 and was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. In January of 1957 he married Alice Casella and settled in North Bellmore, NY where they raised their four children Alice, Annmarie, Janet and John. After returning from the service, John began his apprenticeship to become a Master Tool and Die Maker and spent his career overseeing the manufacturing and production processes at several companies on Long Island.

He had a deep love for nature and the outdoors. John was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America becoming a senior member of the local leadership team while sharing his knowledge and respect of the outdoors with countless young men as an instructor and mentor. During his later years, John spent much time with his wife Alice traveling extensively sharing their love for cuisine, culture and adventure. He was a committed family man, loving husband, admired father and a beloved grandfather and great grandfather. A loyal Yankees baseball fan and avid reader he often lamented and took great pride in what he considered his greatest achievement in life, the large loving family he and Alice created together. He was predeceased by his sister Regina. John is survived by his adoring wife of 63 years Alice, his four children and their spouses: Alice and Salvatore Campofranco, Annmarie and Angelo Tullo, Janet and Jamie Raizin, John Wilken Jr. and Patricia Guadagno; his eight grand-children and their spouses: Nicholas and Emily Campofranco, Victoria Campofranco, Alexandra and Dr. Devin Howell, Anthony Spadaro, Angelo Tullo, Alicia and Tyler Conrads, Jon Wilken and Jenna Wilken; his great grandson Maverick Conrads; his brother in-law and sister in-law Josephine and Fidel Bianchi and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. A small private family service was held in the afternoon on Wednesday May 6th.