John Edward Lehmann, 82, formerly of Newtown, died in Ocoee, Fla., April 18, surrounded by his family. He was born December 23, 1931, on Staten Island, to Catherine (DeYoung) and John A. Lehmann.

Upon graduation from Port Richmond High School in 1949, he enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean War.

After the service, Mr Lehmann became a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, while attending college at night. He married Suzanne Grover in 1957, and graduated from Wagner College in 1962. 

Hired by The Butterick Company, Inc, Mr Lehmann began in their accounting department, becoming president and CEO in the late 1980s. In 1993, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Wagner College. Upon retirement from Butterick, Mr Lehmann devoted his life to traveling around the world with his family.

Mr Lehmann found no greater joy than being with his children and their families. He was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved animals, traveling, playing Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit, taking walks, horseback riding, playing with his dogs, going out to dinner, and telling jokes. 

His wife and mother of his children, Suzanne Lehmann; five children and their spouses, Krista and Rich Rekos of Newtown; Karla and Jack Lafferty of Clermont, Fla.; Karyn Lehmann of Groveland, Fla.; Craig and Maureen Lehmann of Weeki Wachee, Fla.; and Kurt and Marion Lehmann of Belle Mead, N.J.; and seven grandchildren, Travis and Shane Rekos, Samantha and Erin Lafferty, and Kaitlin, Connor, and Kelly Lehmann, survive Mr Lehmann. His daughter Kim Adrienne Lehmann, his granddaughter Jessica Adrienne Rekos, and his sisters Barbara Aultman and Evelyn Granacher predeceased him. 

Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 4 pm, Friday, April 25, at Harmon Funeral Home, Staten Island, N.Y. The funeral service will take place Saturday, April 26, at 9:30 am, at Christ Church New Brighton, Staten Island. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Jessica Rekos Foundation, PO Box 713, Newtown CT 06470 or www.jessicarekos.org; or the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011 or www.alz.org.