In Memory Of
John T. Iliff
1954
2020
John T. Iliff
June 17, 1954 — October 17, 2020
John Todd Iliff, 66, of Delanson, NY, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Saturday, October 17, 2020, with his wife by his side.
John cherished his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. John dearly loved God and his Christian faith was very important to him.
John was born June 17, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN to Alice (Stanton) Iliff and Robert Iliff IIl. He had the adventurous spirit of a pioneer and true outdoorsman, always ready to take on the next adventure.
John's growing up years in Minnesota and the Denver, CO area centered around sports and being outside actively enjoying nature. He loved playing hockey and his passion for fly fishing and "anything outdoors" extended throughout his entire life. John excelled at everything from mountain climbing and skiing to scuba diving.
He graduated from Cherry Creek High School. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder, later taking a job that provided him the opportunity to travel the United States. He married the love of his life, Margie, in January 1999 in Iowa.
He was a man of many hats (literally) and many talents. He had a zest for living a full and productive life. This is evidenced by the people he inspired and the lives he touched while living in more than a dozen states and Canada. He was a classic rock drummer and a storyteller with a flair for words.
In his work life, John was a "tool man" in the tool and toolbox business most of his career. Companies that benefited from his sales and marketing expertise included Stanley Proto, Waterloo Industries, Integrated Supply Network, SPG Toolboxes and SureWerx, to name a few.
Upon retirement in 2019, John realized a lifelong dream: spending as much time as possible in the small camper and drift boat he used for his fly fishing fix on the Delaware River in the Catskills.
John is survived by wife, Margie (Weber) Iliff, Delanson, NY; three children, Wesley (Monica) Iliff, Cedar Falls, IA, Michael Grosse, Tampa, FL, and Megan Grosse, Lakeland, FL; two grandchildren, Violet and Malcolm Iliff; and four siblings, Robert (Tita) Iliff IV, Datil, NM, Linda (Rick) Puttmann, Sun City West, AZ, Sherry Marrazz (Floyd) Wernimont, Greeley, CO and Ruth (Jim) Angelos, Santa Barbara, CA.
He was predeceased by his son, Alex John Iliff, and his parents.
John made known his last wishes: he wanted to be cremated and did not want a memorial service. Since family are scattered throughout the United States, and given the current COVID restrictions, his wishes are made easier to follow. At a private family gathering next year, John's ashes will be spread over the same Iowa lake where he and family released Alex's ashes.
In lieu of flowers, John's family requests any memorial donations be directed to either of the following two organizations that John was personally involved with.
VisionTrust
A children's learning center in Cruz Blanca, Guatemala, where John sponsors a child and also traveled there to help build stoves for local families.
VisionTrust (3710 Sinton Road, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907) and indicate that the gift is "In memory of John Iliff" to support the ministry in Guatemala. You can also give online: https://www.visiontrust.org/sponsor/other-options/other-gau-gen-one-donor-specified-donate/; please select "Special Project/Other" from the dropdown menu and put "In memory of John Iliff" in the notes section.
Living Hope Church
John served in and contributed to several new start-up churches. Living Hope is a start-up church founded by John's friend, Hal Haller.
A memorial for John Iliff can be made by donating online to Living Hope Church or by mail. You can simply go to livinghopestamford.com/give to make your donation or obtain the mailing information to send your gift. Thank you.
One of John's favorite quotes:
"Some go to Church and think about fishing, others go fishing and think about God."
John cherished his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. John dearly loved God and his Christian faith was very important to him.
John was born June 17, 1954 in Minneapolis, MN to Alice (Stanton) Iliff and Robert Iliff IIl. He had the adventurous spirit of a pioneer and true outdoorsman, always ready to take on the next adventure.
John's growing up years in Minnesota and the Denver, CO area centered around sports and being outside actively enjoying nature. He loved playing hockey and his passion for fly fishing and "anything outdoors" extended throughout his entire life. John excelled at everything from mountain climbing and skiing to scuba diving.
He graduated from Cherry Creek High School. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder, later taking a job that provided him the opportunity to travel the United States. He married the love of his life, Margie, in January 1999 in Iowa.
He was a man of many hats (literally) and many talents. He had a zest for living a full and productive life. This is evidenced by the people he inspired and the lives he touched while living in more than a dozen states and Canada. He was a classic rock drummer and a storyteller with a flair for words.
In his work life, John was a "tool man" in the tool and toolbox business most of his career. Companies that benefited from his sales and marketing expertise included Stanley Proto, Waterloo Industries, Integrated Supply Network, SPG Toolboxes and SureWerx, to name a few.
Upon retirement in 2019, John realized a lifelong dream: spending as much time as possible in the small camper and drift boat he used for his fly fishing fix on the Delaware River in the Catskills.
John is survived by wife, Margie (Weber) Iliff, Delanson, NY; three children, Wesley (Monica) Iliff, Cedar Falls, IA, Michael Grosse, Tampa, FL, and Megan Grosse, Lakeland, FL; two grandchildren, Violet and Malcolm Iliff; and four siblings, Robert (Tita) Iliff IV, Datil, NM, Linda (Rick) Puttmann, Sun City West, AZ, Sherry Marrazz (Floyd) Wernimont, Greeley, CO and Ruth (Jim) Angelos, Santa Barbara, CA.
He was predeceased by his son, Alex John Iliff, and his parents.
John made known his last wishes: he wanted to be cremated and did not want a memorial service. Since family are scattered throughout the United States, and given the current COVID restrictions, his wishes are made easier to follow. At a private family gathering next year, John's ashes will be spread over the same Iowa lake where he and family released Alex's ashes.
In lieu of flowers, John's family requests any memorial donations be directed to either of the following two organizations that John was personally involved with.
VisionTrust
A children's learning center in Cruz Blanca, Guatemala, where John sponsors a child and also traveled there to help build stoves for local families.
VisionTrust (3710 Sinton Road, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907) and indicate that the gift is "In memory of John Iliff" to support the ministry in Guatemala. You can also give online: https://www.visiontrust.org/sponsor/other-options/other-gau-gen-one-donor-specified-donate/; please select "Special Project/Other" from the dropdown menu and put "In memory of John Iliff" in the notes section.
Living Hope Church
John served in and contributed to several new start-up churches. Living Hope is a start-up church founded by John's friend, Hal Haller.
A memorial for John Iliff can be made by donating online to Living Hope Church or by mail. You can simply go to livinghopestamford.com/give to make your donation or obtain the mailing information to send your gift. Thank you.
One of John's favorite quotes:
"Some go to Church and think about fishing, others go fishing and think about God."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John T. Iliff, please visit our flower store.
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