John E. Pilsworth

John Pilsworth died Thursday, August 13, after a valiant battle with Parkinsons. John was born Sept. 7, 1945, in Boston to John “Jack” Pilsworth and Leatrice B. Judkins. Jack was in the British Royal Navy at the time. As an infant John and his mother travelled to England, but she was homesick, so the family returned to the U.S. and settled in Massachusetts. John attended schools in Boston, Belchertown, and finally high school in Northampton.

In 1963 John and Linda were married. The births of their first two children, Robin Emily and John Ehren soon followed. Then, in 1966 John and Linda and their young family headed west and landed in Missoula, Montana where their youngest child, Heater Lynn, was born.

Over the years John did whatever it took to provide for his family: Forest Service trail crew, wildland firefighting, ranching, hunting and guiding, carpentry, janitoring, truck driving, and logging. A late bloomer, in 1995 he went back to school and received his degree in geography with an emphasis in cartography from the University of Montana. He became a GIS specialist for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Of his years with the DNRC John liked to say he did everything fire-related except jump out of perfectly good airplanes. Upon retirement, John found purpose in many volunteer efforts including Missoula Aids Alliance, Missoula Food Bank, Missoula Aging Services, the YMCA, and many races for Run Wild Missoula. For several years, as a volunteer, he made all the maps for the Missoula Fire Department. John and Linda loved Montana's wild and wonderful natural beauty and did their best to instill a love of nature in their children.

John lived a full and rich life and will be lovingly missed by his wife Linda, sisters Cindy Fitzgerald, and Diane Vermette of Massachusetts, and his best friend Joel Hurd. Also missing him are his younger daughter Robin (Manuel) Kesterson, son Jody (Lisa) Pilsworth, daughter Heather (Jason) Diehl, grandsons Josh, Jared, Jed and Abren, granddaughter Jamai and great grandchildren Kenzie, Beckett, Lawson, and Evie. John was preceded in death by grandson Justin Kesterson and great grandson Danny Brennan.

The family wishes to thank Stillwater Hospice and the Village Senior Residence for their tender care during John’s final days.

A celebration of life will be held at University Congregational Church, 405 University Avenue, Missoula, on Saturday, September 19th at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Missoula Food Bank, a need of your choice, or perhaps plant a tree in honor of John.