John Lowell Henley of Edgartown died unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 17, at Mass General Hospital in Boston. He was 81.

He was the husband of Susan (Pallone) Henley and predeceased by Janet Brenenstuhl Henley.

John was born in Rushville, Ind., on May 18, 1929 to Lowell Hiram Henley and Marion Wilson Henley. He was a graduate of Rushville High School class of 1947 and a graduate of Purdue University, EE class of 1952. John served his country in the army during the Korean conflict.

John resided in Glastonbury, Conn., for many years and worked at United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney/Hamilton Standard/Essex Magnet Wire) from 1955 until 1980. John was a lifetime member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Indiana as well as a life member of the American Radio Relay League. He was a Ham radio operator for over 50 years; W1EOR. His other hobbies included electronics and photography. His favorite quote was “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Besides his wife Susan (Pallone) Henley, John is survived by his two daughters, Jill Carol Henley of Wakefield, R.I. and Joy Contreras (Enrique) of Whittier, Calif.; and two stepdaughters, Cathy Byer (Bob Black) of Martinsville, Ind. and Sherri Molnar (Kit) of Fishers, Ind.; his sister, Sarah Henley Brown (Bill) of Winter Park, Fla.; four grandchildren; six nephews; and his four-legged children, Scooby and Gatwick.

John’s memorial service and a celebration of life will be held at a later date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation, nnff.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.