Electrical engineer, Ayer Road businessman, enjoyed vintage sports cars and motor racing
John Wilhelm. (Courtesy photo)
John E. Wilhelm, age 85, of Harvard, died peacefully the morning of June 23, 2025, at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln. He was the loving husband of 61 years to Janet U. Wilhelm.
John was born on March 21, 1940, a son of John E. Wilhelm and M. Evelyn Peterson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Growing up in Allegheny County, John spent his early years attending school outside of Pittsburgh while working at a local ice cream and grocery store. After graduating from high school, John attended Cornell University where he met his wife, Janet. John and Janet were married on the Cornell campus at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ithaca, New York. Graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, John found employment with General Radio, later to be called GenRad, which brought him to Washington, D.C., and to Concord. John and Janet eventually settled in Harvard in 1968, where they raised their children, Ron and Sharon. John ran a small home business selling and servicing Troy-Bilt and Garden Way equipment. After leaving GenRad John expanded his business, which he ran for 10 years, to Wilhelm’s Lawn & Garden on Ayer Road in Harvard. After selling the business in 2000, John retained the BCS line of garden equipment and founded his online platform, the BCS Shop. John retained this business until the fall of 2024.
John enjoyed splitting time between Harvard and Hector, New York, in the later years of his life. Returning to the Finger Lakes area where they first met, John and Jan spent the majority of their recent summers in their home overlooking Seneca Lake. John was an active volunteer in the Vintage Car Festival held annually in Watkins Glen and frequented the International Motor Racing Research Center and Watkins Glen racetrack, as he always enjoyed vintage sports cars and motor racing. Generous with his time and thoughtful advice, John built friendships wherever he went.
In addition to his wife, Janet, John is also survived by his son, Ron E. Wilhelm of Denver, Colorado; and daughter, Sharon D. Wilhelm, of Arlington. He was predeceased by his father, John, and mother, Evelyn.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, July 1, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton. The funeral service will take place Wednesday, July 2, 10 a.m., at the Congregational Church of Harvard, 5 Still River Road, Harvard. Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard.
