John Wynne, a beloved teacher, coach, and mentor at Taft from 1965 to 2000, passed away on February 24, 2025. His impact on generations of students and athletes is immeasurable, and his legacy will live on in the spirit of Taft wrestling.

“John was a true model of the best of boarding school educators,” said Head of School Peter Becker ’95. “John was my advisor during my first year as a student at Taft. His kindness, wisdom, patience, and firmness modeled a ‘high structure, high love’ approach to teaching that not only helped me navigate a difficult transition to boarding school but also served as a model for me as a teacher.”

A graduate of The Hill School and Syracuse University, where he was a wrestler, John began his career as an assistant coach for the Syracuse wrestling team. He and his wife, Gail, joined  Taft in the 1965–66 school year — John as a history teacher and head wrestling coach, Gail as head of the Art Department. 

“John Wynne was the classic prep school master,” said Headmaster Emeritus Lance Odden. “A gifted history teacher and a brilliant wrestling and lacrosse coach, he touched the lives of thousands of Taft students over his long career. With his talented wife Gail at his side, they ran dormitories, had advisees, and impacted the lives of countless Taft students for over 30 years. There was no pretense to John; he called life as he saw it and cared deeply. What a difference he made to his students and the Taft community!”

For 35 years, he was a quiet yet powerful presence on campus, teaching history and instilling discipline, perseverance, and integrity in his athletes. John’s philosophy as a coach was simple but profound: “If the coaches have done their jobs during practice, then there shouldn’t be much to yell during a match.” Under his leadership, Taft wrestling thrived. His teams achieved remarkable success, including an undefeated season in 1995, a Western New England Championship in 1995, and a New England Tournament Championship in 1996. That same year, the New England Wrestling Association honored him with the Outstanding Coach Award. Over the course of his career, 32 of his 35 teams finished at .500 or better, including his last 29 consecutive seasons.

“John Wynne was the ultimate mentor to his wrestlers,” wrote Slade Mead ’80. “He was the reason I came to Taft.  I ate every dinner at the Wynne’s table, babysat their kids in the house on North Street, and he was the first person I called when I lost my mother.”

 “On the mats,” Mead wrote, “he taught us how to wrestle, but off the mats, he also showed us how to be good people.  Watching his love for Gail and devotion to his children taught us how to be both good husbands and fathers.”

John’s contributions to Taft extended beyond the wrestling mat. He became Director of Athletics in 1995 and later served as Head of the History Department before retiring in 2000. He also led the Taft Educational Center (TEC) and, in 1991, was honored with the establishment of the John L. Wynne Wrestling Award, given annually to the Taft wrestler who best embodies the program’s values of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, John had a deep intellectual curiosity and an adventurous spirit. In 1983, he traveled to the Soviet Union, specifically Siberia, an experience that deepened his love for history and global understanding.

“John Wynne was one of Taft’s finest,” said former Head of School Willy MacMullen ’78. “He was exactly what the best in teaching looks like—an educator who cared for the whole student on every corner of campus. He was a pillar of the history department: a master teacher, wonderful colleague and wise mentor. And he was one of the single finest coaches I have seen in any sport. As a lacrosse coach, he was the perfect assistant: calm, wise, funny, supportive. But it was as a wrestling coach that John elevated himself to legend status. Over the years, I must have stopped in the wrestling room to watch practice a hundred times. What he did was incredible. He instructed, challenged, demonstrated and inspired; and he was there on the mat, this gentle bear of a man, with the lower mid who weighed 110 pounds and the four-year senior heavyweight. Every wrestler would say that he changed their life. Funny, warm, caring, committed, loving, John was the best of us. For many young teachers—and I was one of them—you looked at John and Gail Wynne as models of what you hope you might become.”

John is survived by his wife, Gail, and their four children: Amy Wynne ’84 (husband, Jonathan Derry); Mark Wynne ’86; Jessica Wynne ’90 (husband, Banks Tarver); and Rachel Wynne (husband, Van Wilshire). John also leaves four grandchildren: Molly Wynne ’25, Celeste Derry, Ella Wilshire, and Ava Wilshire. His steady leadership, humility, and unwavering dedication to his students and athletes will be missed but never forgotten.

An event honoring John’s life and work will be held in the wrestling room on Friday, May 9, from 4 to 5pm.

Condolences can be sent to Gail Wynne, P.O. Box 794, Truro, MA 02666.