We regret to announce the passing of John H. Wolfhagen, 73, of Carrabelle FL, on October 7, 2022. John passed away, surrounded by His loved ones. He was a good Husband, Father, and Friend, he will be forever loved and forever remembered. John grew up on the East Coast of Florida and enjoyed fishing, gardening, building and creating. He was a tradesmen who loved to teach and will be fondly remembered by those who knew him.
John is survived by his wife, Gwen; children, John Lee, Andrea, Anna, and Joshua Wolfhagen; mother, Elisabeth Wolfhagen; sister, Marita Macy; his 6 grandchildren, Tioka, Johnnie, Brandon, Silas, Jaiden, and Asher as well as extended family.
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Gary McDaniel (1967)
RIP John - I will carry forward the memories of our adolescent lives. It was in 1963 when we met and rode the school buses to RBHS for 7th grade. I fondly remember our band years at Howell Watkins Jr. High during our 8th & 9th junior years, before attending RBHS from 1965 - 1967. I recall sitting in the Prosperity home with your father sharing his WW II war experience and the Dutch underground stories. Your parents were good people and you were like a son to my parents. We shared a lot as best friends with Paul Oliver and fishing became an important part of your life. I was glad to learn you never gave it up.
To fellow Hornets - in our adolescent years. We lost touch with friends when some were called to military service, others went to college, before marrying and starting their lives away from Palm Beach County. I regret losing touch with many and appreciate the REUNION that brings us together.
Our friend John was blessed when he married the perfect life companion Gwen. As Jehova witnesses John and Gwen practiced their faith. God showed favor by taking John home after an unexpected passing.
We lost touch until 1982. It was fate when we passed each other in the Boca Raton Hotel parking lot. John was wearing a steeple chase rig and we spoke briefly. Who would have guessed the mild-mannered conservative deacon Wolfhagen would be hanging off the side of a 12-story tower cleaning windows? LOL
John was the third "musketeer" as our parents and bus drivers called us. John, Paul Oliver, and I grew up learning to fish and build beach buggies. John spoke about coming to America and knowing very little English. Unlike Paul and I, John was not into the mischievous things Oliver and I acted out. I confess that Oliver and I with other Prosperity miscreants (usual suspects) tried hard to get the soft-spoken John into trouble. We caught the wrath of Mr. Wolfhagen when he learned John was riding in our beach buggies. It was too obvious that we didn't have licenses and the buggies were not street legal. Yet, we found our way from Prosperity Road over the Donald Ross Bridge to the ocean, south to Lost Tree Village, and north to the Jupiter Inlet. LOL
In those years counselors tagged me as incorrigible and encouraged my parents to send me to tech school. Whereas, John ran from mischief and followed his heart. While we played soldier, John and Gwen settled into a lasting relationship and raised a family. Together John and Gwen practiced their faith and instilled in their children the value of living a Christian life. What better legacy could one leave behind?
Out of discretion, I will not share certain mischievous secrets. What happened off Prosperity Farms Road in our adolescent years remains our secret. Hit me up at the next Hornet Buz or Reunion and I will share more...
Rest in Peace Brother John. You are forever missed.
A friend for life...
Gary J. McDaniel
RBHS 1967