John Arthur Schlump

John was a beloved family man, an intrepid adventurer, an industrious citizen, and a true gentleman. Born to John Robert Schlump and Anna Ichnacek on July 17 of 1929, John Arthur and his sister Dorothy were raised in the Bronx and in Brewster, New  York. John graduated from Brewster High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was a student-athlete and president of his fraternity. After graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1951, John joined the Army engineering division. He worked on an airfield project in Morocco where he developed a life-long passion for work and travel.

When he returned, John was introduced to his friend Carmen Devito’s sister-in-law, Angela Casciano. Though two years elapsed before their second date, John was smitten. As the story goes, he sold his old Ford to buy her an engagement ring and they were wed on February 4, 1956.  Immediately after their wedding, John and Angela moved to the Azores, where John worked for three years to build a landing field for the United States Air Force.

After moving to New Jersey, they first welcomed Lynn, then Judy and Joan Ellen, before moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1964. There, John headed Pavarini Construction Company, spearheading major commercial and municipal projects in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Aruba and Venezuela. In 1968, the Schlumps welcomed their fourth daughter, Jill Ann. In 1970, John and Angela purchased the boat Angela, and then the Whimsical, spending their weekends sailing off the coast of Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands.   

Though the Schlump girls returned to the States for college and eventually settled there, John and Angela remained in San Juan where they welcomed their growing family for regular visits, volunteered in the local community, and continued to enjoy their life amongst dear friends. Always eager to spend time with ‘la familia,’ John sought a locale on the coast of Maine as a gathering place. Purchased and restored in 1999 as John’s final and enduring project, the old Albonegon Inn in Southport, Maine has become the hearth around which his family gathers each summer.

Over the past decade, John has acted as foreman, pancake chef, and boat captain to his twelve adoring grandchildren. John enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife and engaging in spirited debates with his many friends. Recently, John welcomed his first great-grandchild, also named John, and was thrilled to meet him in April. As father, husband, Grampy, and cherished friend, John Arthur Schlump will be dearly remembered by all who knew and loved him.  

Services were held at Glastonbury Abby in Hingham on May 12, 2015 from 10 -11:30am.