We have been invited by the family of John Winthrop Cade, Captain, USN, 92, to attend the Military Honors for their loved one. It will be our privilege to fulfill their request.
Captain John Winthrop Cade, a distinguished Navy officer, passed away peacefully in his sleep, May 8, 2024. Born October 1, 1931, in San Diego, CA, John was the son of Cyrus Marion Cade and Edith Wells Buffum Cade. Following the death of his father, John was just three years old, he was raised primarily by his grandparents, Orpheus Blain Cade, and Florence Amy Officer Cade, during the challenging times of the Great Depression. After his grandfather passed, when John was ten, his uncle’s John Wesley Cade and Perry Comstock Buffum, alongside his grandmother, took on significant roles in his upbringing.
John served our country in the US Navy, Active Duty from 1955 – 1963 and in the USN Reserve from 1963 - 1983.
John graduated from San Diego High School in 1949, where he was a proud member of the Debate Club, Boys Federation, Satan's Club and Choir. Though he initially dreamed of becoming a lawyer, his path led him to the military. He attended Boyden Prep Military Academy then enrolled at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY 1950 to 1952. John transferred to the California Maritime Academy graduating 1954 with a B.S. in Marine Engineering,
He enlisted in the Navy in 1955 (after Korea and before Vietnam). His 28-year Navy career began as an officer on the USS Firm (MSO-444 a minesweeper), where he was the Officer of the Deck. Later he reported to the Mine Division 112 and became Executive and Operations officer. He later reported for duty aboard the USS Catfish (SS-339, a diesel submarine).
Following two tours of duty in the Western Pacific, in 1959 he was handpicked by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", to join the Nuclear Submarine Program and enrolled in Submarine School. Rickover was quoted as saying “I did not recruit extraordinary people. I recruited people who had extraordinary potential—and then I trained them." John Cade was indeed an extraordinary man.
He was selected for Officer's Advanced Nuclear Power School and then S1C (Nuclear Submarine Propulsion Prototype) at Windsor, CT. After qualifying for Crew Chief at S1C, he was ordered to the USS Permit (SSN-594) as the Operations, Navigation and Weapons Department Head.
In 1963, after moving his family 12 times in 8 years and being at sea for most of it, while his wife Phyllis was home raising 3 young children on her own, he regretfully resigned his regular Navy commission and accepted a Navy Reserve commission which he thrived at, retiring in 1983 as a Captain. He felt privileged to serve on many ships, submarines and shore assignments including command of four Naval Reserve surface ships, submarine, and shipyard units during his 28-year tour of duty.
For 35 years, John worked in Management and Marketing for defense contractors. He worked with Goodyear Aerospace, Ocean Technology, Litton, Computer Sciences Corp (CSC), Syscon and NASSCO. His specialty was avionics and weapons systems engineering and integration, software, electronics.
When retired, John enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was engaged in several social organizations and usually served as President for a year or two in all of them. He enjoyed meeting with his fellow Navy buddies for lunch. He loved to travel in his motorhome with his wife Phyllis and friends in S.M.A.R.T (Senior Military Active and Retired Travelers). They traveled for 20 years solo and with the group and visited 49 states including Alaska - couldn't quite handle the drive to Hawaii or he would have gone there too.
In 2022, at the age of 90, John was honored with an Honor Flight San Diego visit to Washington, D.C., where, accompanied by his son John, he visited military memorials with fellow veterans. His final adventure, just two weeks before his passing, was a private tour of the USS Midway in San Diego accompanied by his son Wes and his wife Bernice. It was a fitting close to his remarkable life.
John and Phyllis, his high school sweetheart and wife of 70 years, were devoted to each other until her passing on August 23, 2021. He is survived by his three children: Wesley Robert Cade (Bernice), Wendy Cade Devine (Mike), and John William Cade (Kathy); three grandchildren: Travis Wayne Sulstrom (Stephanie), Tracy Lee Sulstrom Sandifer (Tim), and Jessica Cade Harbert (Tim); and five great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Sandifer, Rylan Sulstrom, Addison Sulstrom, Daniel Sandifer, and Quinn Harbert.
Captain John Winthrop Cade will be remembered as a dedicated officer, loving family man, and extraordinary individual who led a brilliantly impactful life.
NOTE: This mission posting facilitates your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, all PGR members are welcome. This mission is a Flag Line of Honor at Glen Abby Cemetery. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
Timetable for Friday, 28 June 2024 1215 – Stage, parking lot, left side of Glen Abbey Dr., immediately on the left after exiting Bonita Rd. Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902, [East entrance]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XjoG53DgNqLCueHX7 1235 – Briefing
1250 – Relocate to the Little Chapel of the Roses, (quietly, as services are in progress)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1TMgSx2UF7pXyiU2A 1305 – [Est.] Flag Line of Honor at chapel for dignified transfer of Capt. Cade to the coach
1315 – Depart Chapel of the Roses & reassemble at Bonita Chapel Mausoleum for Flag Line for the dignified transfer of Captain Cade. [One motorcycle with large flag to accompany).
1330 – Committal -- Navy Honors detail renders full military honors
Ted Tomaszewicz “Mr. T.”
SoCal Patriot Guard Ride CaptainTedNavyPGR@gmail.com
Note: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. You need not be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this is your first mission, go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely. Do remember to hydrate.
