April 27, 1965 – March 6, 2024
It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that the Wilmote, Gboeah, Passewe, Blaine and Burphy families announce the home going of their dearest and beloved father, uncle, brother, cousin, grandfather and friend, John BK Wilmote, who passed away at Clara Mass Medical Center, Belleville, New Jersey, U.S.A. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 11:04am.
John was born in Beon Town, Grand Bassa County, Liberia to the late Gweh Wilmote and Deaconess Jangar Gweh. When John Wilmote was a young child, he was adopted by the family of the late Counselor J.K. and Esther Burphy as well as their late Aunt Violet Passewe. John spent his childhood and young adulthood with both families and grew up with their children. In Liberia, John attended Banja Public school during his elementary years and later went on to attend Matilda Newport Jr. High School. John received his High School Diploma from the W.V.S. Tubman High School, where he graduated top of his class and was described by his classmates as “a genius scholar who was willing to teach anyone that was willing to learn.” After High school, John went on to attend the University of Liberia for two years.
In 1988, John met his first wife, Jestina S. Moore. John married Jestina and this union was blessed with five children (Robert, Georgina, Leon, Sarah and John D. Wilmote). Prior to the first Liberian Civil War, John and Jestina owned and operated a restaurant in Hotel Africa, Banja junction commonly known as “Jesttobe’s Restaurant”. In addition to operating his own business alongside his then wife, John worked as a clerk for the Ministry of Finance and eventually worked his way up to obtain a higher rank as the Purchasing Manager of the Ministry, a position he held proudly and continued to work despite the brutal nature of the Liberian Civil War.
In 2004, John Wilmote migrated to the United States of America, where he lived in Newark, New Jersey and was reunited with his great Aunt Martha Gboeah and her husband Reverend Lawrence Gboeah, during which he immediately resumed his serving of the Lord by becoming a member of their church, Christ Assembly Lutheran Church. John later attended Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences in Paterson, New Jersey and received a certification for building/property maintenance. It was this education that created a path for his career as he forged a life in the United States. John worked tenaciously in the maintenance department for Cornell Hall Rehabilitation Center for 16 years, where he not only brought smiles to residents of the facility but coworkers—who would describe him as “a hardworking man with the sweetest and most caring heart”—as well.
John was renowned for the work he did in his church as well as his community. John’s mission to spread the gospel continued outside of the church building when he became a distinguished member of The Joint Christian Choir Association (JCCA). JCCA is an organization that identifies itself as a non-denominational Christian organization whose main purpose is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song and music. John became a member of said group from 2009 until his passing and served in various positions, including Chairman of the Board for the North Jersey branch, Secretary General, and ultimately National Treasure, the position he held before his passing. While serving in the JCCA, John also remained a member of the Presbyterian Church in Monrovia and joined its diaspora group where he helped raised funds for the church in Monrovia as well as other philanthropic causes.
John Wilmote was predeceased by his parents, Gweh Wilmote and Deaconess Jangar Gweh, and siblings, Joseph Wilmote and Voicee Wilmote. He is survived by his three siblings, Sam Wilmote, Yeajay Anna Wilmote and Pedamar Wilmote; five children, Robert, Georgina, Leon Sarah and John D. Wilmote; and a host of treasured grandchildren.
John was a gentle soul who brought joy to all those he encountered. He lived a simple, honest, earnest, and righteous life, dedicated not only to being a wonderful and loving father, uncle, brother, cousin, grandfather and friend, but a proud servant of the Lord and member of his community. He had a heart of gold, joyous smile, and warm embrace. He was known for his unwavering commitment, hard work, loving nature, generosity, and thoughtfulness. John Wilmote will be missed dearly but he lives on and remains celebrated, honored, and remembered by all those who had, and with whom he had, the pleasure of experiencing him during his time on earth.
Funeral arrangements are as followed:
Wake: Friday, April 5th, 2024
Viewing 6pm-7pm; Service 7pm-10pm
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Viewing 8am-9am; Service 9am
Christ Assembly Lutheran Church
664 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Interment-Hollywood Cemetery
1621 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union NJ 07083
Contacts
Sarah Wilmote – (201) 589-348
John Wilmote – (201) 920-1710
Leon Wilmote – (201) 780-0873
Hotel Options:
Courtyard by Marriott Newark Downtown
858 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 848-0070
Comfort Suites Newark – Harrison-1348 McCarter Hwy, Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 718-3019
***As per hotel manager, groups of people can only receive a discount if one person pays for all of the rooms for EVERYONE in the group. The hotel has better rates when you book online. However, you can receive up to a 10% discount if you book by calling the reservation desk and telling them you are bereaved and in town for a funeral.
