JOHN E HORSEFIELD

Name: JOHN E HORSEFIELD

Entry Date: 69

Exit Date: 69

Rating:

Status: D: 06/07/2013

“John Edwin Horsefield, CDR,USN Retired, 1933-2013
The world lost a kind, decent man today. My husband, Jack Horsefield, died peacefully in my arms with his priest nearby. Jack loved the Lord and his family more than anything. He delighted in being with his children and grandchildren, playing with them, taking them boating and hitting the Katouches (big waves), taking them to parks and for ice cream (you may have any flavor except bubblegum!). He loved taking them in the pool (but you better shower first!). He had a finely tuned sense of humor and used it often. He cared very deeply for his longtime buddies and loved being with them especially in his workshop in Grande Lagoon. He enjoyed making toys for our grandchildren and they will be enjoyed by our great-grandchildren one day. He had his ROMEO lunch every Thursday with his buddies and they hit every odd little restaurant from Pensacola to Mobile swapping lies as only Navy pilots can and having a ball doing it!

He was the first “”Big Brother”” in the area and his “”little,”” Ashley Chauvin was very dear to him. Jack gave recruitment talks to marines and sailors at NAS Pensacola and was very successful in gaining more “”Bigs”” for the program. He was like the pied piper in our neighborhood; the children would come knocking at our door asking if my “”Daddy”” could come out and play and he most always would. He was especially close to Chris Clark and loved helping him.

Jack was a lector and Eucharistic Minister in the Catholic Church and he relished each job. He was so sad that his health prevented him from carrying on in those positions. I was so pleased that Fr. James of Little Flower was with him when he died, taking special time with him and with me. Good friends came during that dark hour and buoyed my flagging spirit. We are blessed with exceptional friends.

He came to Pensacola in 1957 for flight training after graduation from the United States Naval Academy. We met shortly afterwards and we married in 1958, almost 55 years. Our children came along about 5 years later and he delighted in them from the get go; changing diapers, bathing and feeding them and just in general enjoying them his whole life. He said they were the best “”toys”” of all and they loved their Dad. We all went around the world a few times, hitting all the states and having a great time of it.

He loved flying for the Navy and we were stationed on both coasts and overseas during his tours of duty. He flew multi engine (P-2’s and P-3’s). He took a bit of friendly ribbing from his jet jock friends but he didn’t mind and told them he loved walking back to the little “”kitchen”” and having a nice hot cup of soup while he waved to them as they went by. So many sea stories and each time I heard them, I laughed even harder. What a great life we had!

Jack was born in Hoboken, NJ and grew up on Indian Lake in Denville, NJ. He was the son of C.R. and Madeleine Horsefield and had one sister, Nancy Covington and an aunt and uncle, Dick and Sarah Horsefield. He graduated from Mountain Lakes High School and went on to Stevens Institute of Technology for 2 years, and finally to the United States Naval Academy. He married Janice Sims of Pensacola in 1958 and fathered 2 children, Capt. Michael Horsefield, USN who is married to Marilyn and Susan Horsefield Putnam who is married to Cdr. John Putnam USNR. We have eight grandchildren, Jeremy Putnam, Jessica Horsefield Lynn and her husband, Spencer, Aaron Putnam, Mackenzie Horsefield, Gabrielle Putnam, Jack Putnam, Luke Putnam and Sarajan Putnam. He had 5 brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack often said he was a southerner by choice. He lived a full, happy, wonderful life and he fought the good fight til the end. Rest in peace, my Darling, you will always remain in our hearts.

Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Little Flower Catholic Church on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10:00 am. Reception to follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.

Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits

Published in Pensacola News Journal on June 2, 2013″