Ilmar Filhaber

The only son of the late Irma and Elmar Filhaber, John was born in Riga, Latvia in 1940 and emigrated with his parents to the United Sates in 1949, settling in Willimantic, CT. In 1954, he became a US citizen and earned his amateur radio license -W1HOI later W2HCQ, launching a lifelong hobby building countless radios and antennas while making new friends around the world.

Upon his graduation from Windham High School, he attended the University of Connecticut where he met the late Mary Ellen Croteau, who would be his wife of 60 years. He earned his BS in Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, from Roger Williams University and became a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE). In addition to his PE, he was a licensed electrician and briefly operated his own electrical business before choosing engineering as his career.

A man of diverse accomplishments and talents, John held engineering and management positions throughout the northeast, most notably at Fargo Manufacturing in Poughkeepsie, New York; InterRoyal Corporation in New York, NY and Plainfield, CT; and Deluxe Corporation in Warren, PA . During the course of his career, John earned numerous patents. He retired in 2024 after many years as an instructor of Physics at Jamestown Community College and SUNY Fredonia. John was a Boy Scout leader in Dutchess County, New York and Eastern Connecticut, and an avid downhill skier, who served on the ski patrol at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY. He was a skilled marksman and enjoyed hunting in the company of his beloved Labrador, Blackie. John and his wife were members of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club.

A gifted story teller, John would dream out loud with his friends and family, bringing them along on his journeys, wherever they gathered.

Of all his achievements, he was the proudest of his family and is survived by four children: Karen (Peter) Berris, of Chaplin, CT; John (Amanda Morris) Filhaber, of Norwich, CT; Lisa (Doreen) Coe, of Jewett City, CT; and Maureen (Daniel) Akers, of Leverkusen, Germany; Sisters-in-law: Linda (William) Boutell of Tariffville, CT and Maureen (Wayne Worcester) Croteau of Vernon, CT; 10 beloved grandchildren and several cherished nieces and nephews. In addition to his children, he is survived by his friends Chris Larson and his wife, Patti, of Jamestown, NY, whom he considered family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Connecticut at a date to be determined. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers do a good deed today.