John Freney Wolfington

John Freney Wolfington, 58, formerly of Wilmington, DE died peacefully on October 5, 2023, after a long illness.

John was born in 1965, in Philadelphia, PA to John Francis Wolfington and Suzanne Ellen Smith Wolfington, both of whom predeceased him.  He graduated from the Episcopal Academy in 1983 and Penn State University in 1987 where he majored in Philosophy.

For much of his life, John was an avid participant in shooting sports.  He was an exceptionally proficient trap shooter and competed nationally and internationally in some of the sport’s most prestigious events and tournaments.  He was widely respected by shooting sportsmen and women for his skill and knowledge of the sport he so loved.  He was an integral member of the Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club, managing and organizing competitions, tournaments, and classes since 2009.  John was also instrumental in managing and operating bunkers, gun safety courses, events, and shooting lessons for all levels of experience across the Mid-Atlantic.  John won dozens of tournament awards over 45 years and he most recently earned a gold medal at the 2022 US Senior Open in Olympic-style Trapshooting at the Palmyra Sportsmen’s Association.

John’s sense of humor was legendary among his friends and family and his laughter was positively contagious!  He was a voracious reader who loved music, history, travel, food, and drink.  He was a model of sartorial splendor with a natural and unique sense of style that had a decidedly English flair from head to toe, hats to shoes.  John also enjoyed movies, especially James Bond thrillers, and he took great delight in watching Three Stooges shorts and Warner Brothers cartoons with his son, Graeme.

John was steadfast in his values and a fierce defender of constitutional principles and individual liberty. John stood up for what he believed in: individual liberty, self-reliance, and limited government. While John enjoyed debating these topics, he did his best not to allow thoughtful political differences of opinion to jeopardize his relationships with those he cared for.

John is survived by his son, Graeme, and Graeme’s mother, Kirsten McGregor, both of Wilmington, DE.  He is also survived by his sisters, Suzanne Wolfington of Wayne, PA and Mary Ellen Wolfington of Tampa, FL, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and John’s many friends, some of whom he had known since elementary school.

A celebration of John’s life will take place at a future date. Per John’s wish, we are creating a trust into which any tributes may be made in John’s memory.