Jon Jay Wilderman's Obituary
Jon Wilderman: beloved husband, father, coach
Jon Wilderman passed away in San Diego on January 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 50 years old.
Jon Jay Wilderman was born on April 24, 1973, at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City to the late Marthe Alix Wilderman (née Fazil) and Leo Charles Wilderman. He grew up in Brookfield, Connecticut, and graduated from Brookfield High School in 1991. He was a three-sport athlete who played high school baseball and football and was the founding captain of the school's first ever swim team. Jon played rugby at the University of Connecticut, with his team reaching the Division 1 Final Four in 1995. He graduated from UConn in 1995 with a degree in sports marketing.
Jon moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1996, before making his home in San Diego in 1999. He met his future wife, Sheryl, and her son, Diego, in 1997. Jon and Sheryl were married in 2003 and welcomed their son, Leo Rocky, in 2008.
While Jon worked in compliance at LPL Financial, his true passions were sports and his family. A lifelong UConn Huskies, New York Yankees, and Dallas Cowboys fan, Jon's favorite player by far was his son, Leo. When not at home or work, Jon could be found at the baseball fields, usually coaching one of Leo or Diego's teams. He served over 10 years as a coach and board member of the North City Youth Baseball League in the Clairemont community of San Diego.
The North City Board of Directors wrote the following tribute:
"Jon left an indelible mark on youth baseball in his community, from coaching to being a league board member to leading the organization of baseball tournament fundraisers. As a coach, Jon wanted the best for every player, no matter the age or skill level. While Jon was competitive and liked to win, he also wanted the kids to learn and have fun - and that they did. As a league board member, Jon was always willing to step in when others wouldn’t or couldn’t. When Jon took over duties of leading the baseball tournament fundraisers, he did so whole-heartedly. Jon took on the challenge of running his first tournament for North City Baseball, and it was an outstanding success - eclipsing the fundraising and participation marks set by all prior years and surpassing his own achievements every year thereafter. The Thanksgiving Turkey Tournament is heading into its 19th year, and its success and longevity is due in large part to Jon’s efforts and unselfish support of the youth baseball players in his community. His presence at those fields will be sorely missed. We will do our best to carry on in the tradition he helped to establish with his passion and drive, all the while knowing it can not be replicated but only built upon the foundation that he created."
Jon is survived by his wife, Sheryl Ford; sons, Leo Rocky Wilderman and Diego Fernandez-Ford; and brother, Geoffrey Lee Wilderman. He is loved and missed by them and his countless friends, who will always remember him for his loathing of country music and fondness for ski trips, Pearl Jam, sushi, and singing Pink during karaoke.
Details about a celebration of life will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, supporters are invited to help the family defray the cost of Jon's hospital bills by sending contributions to venmo.com/sheryl-ford
Venmo | Sheryl Ford
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