John
A. Wise
New Hartford and Marcy, New York
1924-2016
John Arthur Wise, lifelong
resident of the Utica-Rome area,
passed away peacefully May 4, 2016
in New Hartford with his daughter
at his side.
John ("Jack") Wise was born in
Utica, NY on March 19, 1924, the
son of John Edgar Wise and Anne
Bevan Wise. He was married for 55
years to Barbara Jane Busacker
Wise before her passing in 2005.
John was a graduate of Whitesboro
High School and earned both
bachelor's and master's degrees in
Music Education from Ithaca
College. John was well known as
the Band Director at Rome Free
Academy where he taught music for
20 years before becoming Director
of Music and then Assistant
Superintendent of the Rome City
Schools. John was an accomplished
trombonist and union musician with
deep passions for music
performance and education. The
telephone often rang in the
evenings with requests for John to
play trombone in bands across
Central New York. He was an avid,
highly competitive golfer, sports
enthusiast, fervent Syracuse
Orange fan, and talented
photographer, both professionally
and for fun.
John married Barbara Jane Busacker
on August 27, 1949 and is survived
by his daughter, Deborah Lynne
Wise Dowling of New Hartford, son
and daughter-in-law, Dr. John
Gregory Wise and Dr. Pia D. Vogel
of Allen, TX, and the joys of his
life, his five grandchildren and
one great grandchild, John Michael
Dowling, Kevin Sean Dowling, Jonna
Lynne Dowling, Benjamin John
Alexander Wise, Eric Jonah Wise,
and Madison Marie Dowling.
John served his country in World
War II from January of 1943 to
January of 1946, in the Pacific
Theater with the 4th Engineer
Amphibian Brigade. John
participated in combat in the
Luzon and New Guinea campaigns,
and took part in the occupation of
Japan. At the same time, John was
a trombonist in the 4th ESB Army
Band. He spoke of the perks of
being a musician with deck
privileges to play for the troops
when on transport ships, and of
his "lack of chops" when ordered
to play at short notice after not
seeing his horn for months at a
time when in theater. He returned
home safely in 1946. John entered
Ithaca College on the Servicemen's
Readjustment Act of 1944 ("GI
Bill"), completing his bachelor's
degree in three years and master's
degree in an additional year.
After completing his work in
Ithaca, John joined the faculty at
Rome Free Academy as music
educator and band director,
remaining in Rome throughout the
entirety of his career. "Prof"
Wise touched many lives as
educator, musician, and friend,
enriching both the students around
him and his community. After
completing coursework in
educational administration at SUNY
Oswego, John joined the
administration of the Rome City
School system, first as Director
of Music and then as Assistant
Superintendent of Schools. He
remained in the latter position
until his retirement in 1979. In
2007, John was inducted into the
Hall of Distinction of the Genesis
Group of the Mohawk Valley for his
life-long contributions to
education.
After retiring, Barb and Jack
spent the rest of their marriage
at their home in Marcy,
"wintering" on the beach and golf
courses of North Myrtle Beach, SC.
John loved to "grind" on the links
and was a member of Oriskany Hills
and Beaver Brook Golf Clubs, and
was a member and an active golfer
at the Teugega Country Club until
his late eighties. John was also
an accomplished trap shooter and
member of the Trenton Fish and
Game Club for many years. John was
an active member of the
Professional Musicians of Central
New York, Local 78 of the American
Federation of Musicians, until he
died. He was also a long time
member of the Rome Elks Lodge, the
Rome Toccolana Club, and the
United States Golf Association.
John was predeceased by his wife
Barbara, and two brothers and
sister, Robert "Bob" Wise, Henry
"Hank" Wise, and Marjorie Anne
Wise Ryan. John was very close to
his brother Bob, both maintaining
roles of brother and best friends
throughout their lives.
John was deeply loved as a true
family man. He put his family
above himself, working diligently
to provide safety, comfort and
educational opportunities to all
those around him.Dad, "Papa",
"Poppy", "Jack", and "Prof" will
be sorely missed by all those
whose hearts he touched, friends
and family alike.
Funeral services with be held
Monday, May 9, 2016 at 5 pm at the
Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams and
Edmunds funeral home at 40 Main
Street, Whitesboro, NY with
Chaplain Jill Farnham-Us
officiating. Calling hours will
precede the service from 3 to 5
pm. Military Honors will be
presented at the conclusion of the
funeral services.
Please consider memorials in the
name of John A. Wise to Hospice
and Palliative Care, Stevens-Swan
Humane Society of Utica, or a
charity of your choice. Envelopes
will be available at the funeral
home.
For online expressions of sympathy
please go to www.dfwefh.com
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"Prof"
Wise was the band director at RFA during
our years there from 1967-70. He
was one heck of a guy. One time
in marching band we were practicing
formations and I had my formation sheet
upside down. So the rest of the band was
on the north end of the field and I was
on the south end. Through his bullhorn I
hear "Di Caprio! Do you need a compass
or a seeing eye dog?!" I enjoyed all 3
years in his band. Great guy.- Bob
DiCaprio
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R.I.P. to a great band director - Joe
Mercurio
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He was a great guy. I think of him often
to this day. - Joel Cooper
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"Prof" Wise - no finer teacher or person
anywhere. I can't recall the names of some
of my favorites in marching band as a
majorette, but I can hear him saying, Pull
up #5 in your purple band book." He made
me wish I had played an instrument! God
speed, "Prof" Wise. I hope you knew how
much we all loved you, even 46 years after
graduating!! - Donna Summa
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Many of my better memories of RFA centered
on band and orchestra. John has
joined CB who passed on many years ago. -
Paul Andrews
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RIP "Prof"! - Debbie Hall
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"Prof" Wise was an inspiring teacher , we
loved band, and he knew how to get the
best out of us, even this lowly 2nd chair
3rd trumpeter , RIP - Bob Evans
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I’m saddened to see
the passing of Prof Wise. Prof
had such a positive influence during
my high school years. It was an honor
to play in band and also march during
football season under his direction.
Many of our closest friendships were
started in band and playing music
under Prof. I became a much better
Trumpet player learning from Prof
Wise. R.I.P. Prof!! - Walt Kapinos
