Obituary of Edward "Ted" A Wynant

Accomplished musician, avid skier and golfer, loyal Spartan fanTed Wynant, of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, passed away at home on March 25, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 21, 1930 to Henry and Helen Wynant, he was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his brother, Tom, and attended his beloved Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1951. He was a licensed Professional Engineer, in the honor societies of Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon, and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. While in the Army, having been drafted from Exxon into the Korean War and stationed in San Francisco, he met "his" Cynthia (nee Young), a beautiful, compassionate and fun-loving Canadian who was perfecting her nursing skills. Married in 1956, during the next 59 years, they created a life of giving and caring for others, an environment of welcoming hospitality and enjoyed traveling the world with each other, friends and family. Memorable trips included a six-week family camping trip across the U.S.; ski vacations in Vermont and Colorado (including his "mountain-top moment" on his 65th birthday, when he climbed to the 12,000 foot peak at Copper Mountain to ski down the face of Union Bowl in fresh powder – at that altitude, he was happy to have son, JS, carry his skis "up" the mountain); taking his family to Bermuda and on Holland American cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska; and special trips with Cynthia to Egypt, France, Tahiti, Turkey, Greece and Russia. Another favorite activity was golfing and playing in tournaments at Mendham Golf and Tennis with his wife and family (enjoying challenging his daughter Nancy to "closest to the pin" contests on the 12th hole) and with his friends in the Wednesday Morning Men's Group. His favorite moments of hospitality were in sharing his good sense of humor and one of his special bottles of wine or his collection of scotch with his guests. Ted spent his entire career with Exxon, enjoying worldwide travel and special assignments in the field of project management, where he had many proud achievements. The most challenging and fulfilling project was that of the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, from 1974-1977. A true professional engineer with a great love of music, he was a talented and versatile trumpet player from his teenage years into his eighties, playing classical music with the Plainfield Symphony, Anchorage Symphony, Somerset Hills Symphony Orchestra and jazz/swing music with Swing Time Band. Active in the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and on the Board of Trustees, in 1993, along with several talented jazz musicians, he created and performed "Jazz Sunday" which continues to this day on the 1st Sunday after Easter. He frequently played trumpet as part of a brass ensemble at the VNA Adult Day Center and BRPC church services, adding a particularly uplifting, triumphant sound to the joyfulness of Easter. A deeply patriotic American, he was often asked to play "Taps" at funerals and memorial services. He passed his musical talents on to his children and grandchildren and most recently, was a practice partner and mentor as youngest granddaughter Caitlyn learned to play trumpet, which is her favorite memory of her "Papa". He served faithfully on the Boards of the Visiting Nurse of Somerset Hills, Solid Brass and in 1988, along with his wife Cynthia, and Bob and Natalie Ambrose, was instrumental in the formation of the not-for-profit Somerset Hills Adult Day Center, which is now affiliated with the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills.A loving father and great role model to his son, John Scott of Weston Massachusetts; and daughter, Nancy Jean of Basking Ridge, NJ, his proudest and happiest times were spent with his family, particularly his four grandchildren, Joseph, Peter, Margot and Caitlyn. He had a keen interest in each of their journeys, was so proud of their achievements and the continuation of the circle, with Joseph in the oil business, Peter going into finance, Margot's enthusiastic participation at SMU, and Caitlyn's joie de vivre as she attends Mendham Country Day School.He is survived by his loving wife Cynthia; his son, JS and family, Kay, Joseph, Peter and Margot; his daughter, Nancy and family, Bryan, Caitlyn and his steadfast companion and grand-dog, Hansel. Dadpa/Papa, we will bring you with us on each of our journeys and adventures of life and keep you with us in our hearts and minds always. Go Green! His family has planned a music-filled Memorial Service in celebration of his life to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, 11:00am at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, 1 East Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ.In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in his honor to Michigan State University's College of Engineering or the Spartan Marching Band (MSU Advancement, Spartan Way, 535 Chestnut Road, Suite 300, East Lansing, MI 48824 please note in memo line Ted Wynant and designate your wishes to give to Spartan Marching Band or College of Engineering) or to the Visiting Nurse Association Adult Day Center, 200 Mt Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.