Skillman Resident
September 29, 1956 - October 9, 2022
John Briddon Stites, 66, of Skillman died on October 9, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cheryl Dettmar Stites and their daughter, Kyle Gosselink, son-in-law Peter Gosselink, granddaughters Eve Stefani and Wilhelmina Ann Gosselink, his parents Charles and Anne Stites, sisters Deborah Stites-Williams and Jennifer Pike, brother Eric Stites and his wife Katie Peternell, father-in-law William Dettmar and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ken and Stacey Girt. He is predeceased by his mother-in-law Ruth Ann Dettmar and brother-in-law Mark Dettmar, grandparents, John B. and Elizabeth King and Florence Stites.
John spent his career in the property and casualty insurance business. He graduated from Lycoming College in 1978 and began working for Chubb and Son. He was a vice president and manager of the Denver office when he left Chubb. He then began an 18-year career with The Travelers Insurance Group and retired as a vice president and national accounts manager.
John was an avid golfer, enjoyed cars, especially his Porsches, classic rock, and rescuing retired racing greyhounds with his wife, Cheryl. He enjoyed spending time with family and traveling to his favorite island, Bermuda.
There will be a celebration of John’s life on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the 1867 Sanctuary, (formerly Ewing Presbyterian Church), 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ 08628. Calling hours will be 9-11am at the Sanctuary with the service beginning at 11am.
Donations in John’s honor and memory may be made to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, 361 Newbury St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115 or to Greyhound Friends of NJ, 10 Hunters Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.
