WALLINGFORD - The Rev. John E. Kingsbury, 88, of Wallingford, departed this life on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the Masonic Healthcare Center. He was the loving husband of Phyllis (Coffin) Kingsbury and the late Martha (Tomlinson) Kingsbury. John was born on September 21, 1924, in Coventry, CT, to the late John and Laura (Maskiell) Kingsbury. Rev. Kingsbury received a Bachelors from Marietta College (Ohio) and a Masters of Divinity from the Yale Divinity School. Over 40 years of ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ he served at: Student Summer Services N.D. early 1950's Alexis Congregational Church in Toledo, OH from 1952-1955, Pilgrim United in Cincinnati, OH from 1955-1959, Highlands Community Church in Springfield, OH from 1959-1966, First Congregational Church, new church start, in Streamwood, IL from 1966-1970, Grace UCC in Lancaster, OH from 1970-1986, and Sixteen St. John's UCC from 1986-1989. After retiring, he served as interim pastor for: First Cong. of Lyme of Hamburg Cove, First Congregational Church of Bethany, Woodmont UCC in Milford, First Congregational of Waterbury, and served as Minister of Visitation to Ashlar Village for the First Congregational Church of Wallingford. He was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed weaving. His cooking carried on a family tradition of providing hospitality for many strangers turning them into friends. He will be sadly missed by his children: John Aeschbury (Ann) of Ohio, Barbara Morris (Gary) of Torrington, David Kingsbury (Cynthia) of Monroe, Peter Hodgins of California; grandchildren: Alex, Greer and Madeline of Ohio, and Andrea and Olivia of Monroe. A memorial service will be held on Sat. Sept. 14, at 1:30 pm at the Hartog Center at Ashlar Village, 74 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford and on Sat. Sept. 21, at 10 am at First Congregational Church of Wallingford, 23 South Main St., Wallingford. Burial at the Center Cemetery in Coventry will be private. It is suggested that memorial contributions may be directed to Masonic Charity Foundation, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492, the Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ, 125 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105 or the First Congregational Church of Wallingford for Camp Scholarships.