×

John Henry Steidl

John Henry Steidl, 86, passed away at his home in Montclair, New Jersey, while in hospice care on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on April 6, 1934, he was the son of John and Anita (Jones) Steidl. He graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1951. He went to Union College and then graduated from Yale Divinity School before continuing his education later in life at Smith College of Social Work.

John’s father had tuberculosis when he was a student at Harvard Medical School, and was sent to Saranac Lake, first to cure, later to practice, eventually taking over as head of Trudeau Institute. His mother Anita was a nurse at the Trudeau institute as well.

Over the years John worked as a Presbyterian minister and later as an Episcopal minister, working with the Episcopal Church in New York City before becoming director of family therapy at Yale New Haven Hospital. He concluded his career at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital as director of residency training.

His love of music continued throughout his life with piano, organ and various instruments. At age 40, in memory of his father who was an amateur cellist, he began to play cello for the next 20 to 30 years until arthritis made it too difficult to play.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Martha Nowycky, and his children: John Andrew Steidl (Julia Griffin), Jill Steidl, Jennifer Glen (Dan Glen) and Jamison Steidl (Rachael Ross Steidl); eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Daniel Steidl (formerly of Rainbow Lake).

Burial will take place at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, Paul Smiths, at a later date.