John William Willmot

John W. Willmot of Greentown, Pa., died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, after a short bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.

Born on Staten Island, N.Y., he grew up in Hopatcong, N.J. He was a former resident of Lake Placid, N.Y., and Moosic, Pa., before moving to Greentown.

He was a 1977 graduate of Hopatcong High School and attended New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he studied construction engineering. He was employed as a draftsman for many years before launching a 30-year career in entertainment promotions, most recently with Black Widow Group, a worldwide music festival, event, and tour company based in California.

A longtime bartender, former barkeep and consummate storyteller, he worked at various taverns in the Lake Hopatcong area, including Aggie’s Sail-Inn, Pappy’s Roadhouse and the Arrowcrest, and most recently at A.J.’s Sportside, Lake Wallenpaupack. He was a passionate gourmet cook and enjoyed volunteering his culinary skills at local charity events and fundraisers. An outdoor enthusiast, he was an avid hunter, ice fisherman, alpine skier, water skier, boater and New York Giants fan. He was a banjo player who loved bluegrass music, was a member of Moosic Lodge F&AM and was an organ donor.

Survivors include his beloved partner, Monica McCarthy; children, Jesse Willmot, Shelby Willmot, Eamon McCarthy, Marina McCarthy and Keith Winter; parents, Connie Willmot and Tom White of Waymart, and John and Peggy Willmot of St. Petersburg, Fla.; sisters, Julie Willmot of Lawrenceville, N.J., and Tara Griffith of St. Petersburg, Fla.; brother, Gregory Willmot of Blairstown, N.J.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, especially Paul Magnotta of Lackawaxen.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, 420 Church St., Archbald, Pa. A remembrance service will begin at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).