John Francis Homan

CORNWALL — John Francis Homan IV has passed away. He was a professional, dapper gentleman personified with indescribable kindness. He told me a story once of being in a terrible place and finding the one positive thing to focus on, the one piece of beauty to hold onto. That is what we have to do in this moment of such a tragic loss.

In 1970, the coldest day recorded on Earth, John was born in Dearborn, Michigan, uphill in the snow, barefoot… ‘course he slips and slides all over the ice, and a couple of perfectly cadenced and coordinated notes later discovers his city, New York City. Luckily, he thaws out in time to find the love of his life, Gregg Hubbard. Together they made a pact to visit every state; they were committed to it, and were one state shy of completing that pact.

John’s dad, aptly called “Big John”, and his brother, Joe Homan, were his anchors – They, along with mom, Marilynn, managed to stoke a gracious nature within John that was beyond measure.

John’s heart also pointed North to Connecticut. I have a history degree now from listening to him tell me of Mohawk Mountain’s importance, George Washington on Bull’s Bridge, and the founding six along with all they accomplished…. down to their heirs sitting on the Supreme Court or herding cattle today. He took enormous pride in this region – he exemplified it and cherished it. For him, finding a house here, with Gregg, was everything, along with the foundation they fostered, community they grew within, and obviously… a pool to forever fix.

I am glossing over quite a few important facts, but I can tell you outlines of John’s whole picture: like his incredible adoration for his family and friends, all the relationships he built up, and the immense joy he encompassed – from belting out Broadway tunes like a pro, to the job he revered, to the way his nieces lit him up with rainbows and sunshine every day.

He often spoke through Rumi, Jung, Aurelius – even Jalen Brunson was in the mix – always a similar theme: confidence within yourself, spiritual resilience, and empathetic compassion when facing the worst life can throw at you. That’s John; he supported and nurtured those around him without judgment or fear, and did so with unwavering respect – unless you were a slow driver, that’s a whole other story.

He loved work, and a tailored suit, as much as the rodeo and a thirst trap tank. He was complicated, deep, and one of the most adventurous, out-of-this-world people I’ve ever encountered.

The world won’t be the same without him, and it wasn’t nearly enough time.

The one piece of beauty I can hold onto is that he is, and always shall be, my friend.

The Memorial Service will be held at UCC of Cornwall, 8 Bolton Hill Road on Aug. 8 at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers we ask that people donate to the Church UCC of Cornwall; they do fabulous outreach in the community, and my friend John was quite involved in that.