WESTFIELD – Jonathan Towse, age 53, (1969 – 2022) passed away with his beloved son Joshua by his side on Friday, September 16, 2022. Jon was a dedicated and proud single father, a devoted son and brother, a passionate educator, and a curious world traveler who delighted in living his life on his 
own terms. He lived 1,000 years in his 53 years on this planet.
Jon was born and raised in Westfield, MA. He attended Westfield Schools and shortly after high school enlisted in the US Army. After his time in the Army, he set off to travel the world. Jon’s first trip was traveling through Europe with his brother, Don. I could go into detail about their escapades, but since this is going to be read by his mother Christine, I will leave it up to your imagination; think The Hangover meets National Lampoon’s European Vacation. After his trip to Europe, Jon was struck by wanderlust that had no bounds. Two weeks before he passed, he was talking about wanting to head back to Hawaii, where he spent many happy years with his son Joshua fishing, living in the rainforest, and keeping the wild boars at bay. Jon traveled throughout the United States and Mexico. He went to Hawaii on vacation and fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle which made him put down roots. From Hawaii, he traveled to Singapore, New Guinea, and Indonesia where he worked teaching English. While teaching in Jakarta, he earned a degree in Business. He also met and married Joshua’s mother Ina Salazar and they lived very happily together as a family until they left Indonesia. From Indonesia, Jon and his family moved to Hilo, Hawaii where Jon earned his teaching certificate. He then started to teach at Hilo High School. This is where Jon found and ignited his passion for teaching. He was dedicated to his students and cared about each and every one of them. He was interested in their happiness and helping them to thrive. Jon was a fine example of a loving and dedicated teacher. He continued teaching and eventually made his way back to Western MA where he most recently taught at The Center School in Holyoke. Jon was proud to be able to work with such wonderful students and was always talking about new and innovative approaches that he was trying in his classroom. Jon truly lived his life to the fullest. He loved his son and his friends and family fiercely and freely with an innocence that was childlike in its purity.
Jon leaves behind his beloved and cherished son, Joshua Towse of Westfield, he was predeceased by his father Charles Towse, and is survived by his mother, whom he adored, Christine Towse of Westfield. Jon also leaves behind his big brother Charles (Chuck) Towse and his wife Merry of Westfield; his big sister Virginia (Ginny) Schnabel and her husband Alan of St. Robert, MO; his brother and friend, Donald Towse and his partner Dawn Roberts of Amherst; his brother and friend Daniel Towse and his wife Allison Wheatley-Towse of New York, NY; his brother and caregiver Douglas Towse and his wife Kristine of West Springfield; his favorite sister Carolyn Florek and her husband Jeffrey of Southampton; his baby brother Theodore (Ted) Towse and his partner Erica Wehrwein of East Lansing, MI; and his baby sister Regina Tillona and her husband Carl of Chicopee. Jon also leaves behind dozens of loving nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces. Lastly, Jon leaves behind his best friend Batman, a beautiful and faithful German Shepherd who had eyes only for Jon.
The burial will be private. At Jon’s request, we will be eating ribs (beef, not pork), drinking Coors Light, not listening to The Eagles, and celebrating his life at a later date. We will invite all friends and family to join us at this later date.
