John T. Wholley, Jr., Esq.

John T. Wholley, Jr., Esq., 58, of Rockwood Drive, Southington, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. He was the high school sweetheart and life-long love of Pamela (Paquette) Wholley, to whom he was married for 36 years.

In addition to his wife Pamela, he leaves behind the joys of his life, his children: Jonathan J. Wholley of Vernon, UConn football coach; Meredith A. Wholley, Esq. of New York, litigation attorney; and Zachary J. Wholley of Southington, student-athlete at University of Maryland. John was the loving brother of his two sisters Rosemary Malin of Broad Brook and Elizabeth Harvey, husband Richard Harvey, of East Hartford, and his brother Thomas Wholley, Sr., wife Kathryn Wholley, of Glastonbury. He is also survived by a wealth of extended family who loved him as their own son, brother and father: Joseph Paquette of Maine; Adeline Paquette of East Hartford; Steven and Carey Paquette of Missouri; Richard Paquette of East Hartford; David and Maureen Paquette, Daniel and Suzanne Paquette, Mary and John Fitzgerald, all of Rocky Hill; and Christine and Richard Daly of West Harford; as well as 23 adoring nieces and nephews.

John was born Feb. 5, 1953, in Hartford to the late Purple Heart recipient John T. Wholley, Sr. and Rosemary (McCarthy) Wholley. He was raised in South Windsor and attended East Catholic High School. John earned a B.S. in Economics and Psychology from Trinity College, where he played varsity football and golf. In 1986, John received his J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar. Shortly after his father's death, John, along with his brother, took over his parents mom and pop Better Bedding shop, est. 1976, and expanded it into a dominant chain of 21 retail sleep stores across the state, ending in 2009. Better Bedding, under the Wholley's former ownership, was named Retailer of the Year by the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, Family Business of the Year by the UConn School of Business, and National Retail Giant of Bedding by Furniture Today Magazine. As President, John showed an unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity and philanthropy. Better Bedding regularly partnered with state and charitable organizations including UConn Athletics, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Greater Hartford Salvation Army, Jim & Pat Calhoun Cardiology Center and Ronald McDonald House. John was also a board member of the Connecticut Better Business Bureau for sixteen years and chairman for one; in 2008, he was personally inducted into the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame.

Above all, John was a man of honor ' in business, at home and before God. He was most proud of his family. And for them, he worked hard, loved wholeheartedly and prayed unceasingly.

Calling hours are Wednesday, Aug. 31st from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St. Plantsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday Sept. 1 at St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St. Southington. Burial will immediately follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of John be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Voices Against Brain Cancer, 1375 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018.

John's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to their family and friends for their compassionate support and faithful prayers. For directions and online condolences please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

Calling hours are Wednesday, Aug. 31st from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St. Plantsville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday Sept. 1 at St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St. Southington. Burial will immediately follow in South End Cemetery, Southington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of John be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Voices Against Brain Cancer, 1375 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018.

John's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to their family and friends for their compassionate support and faithful prayers.