Jonathan Emerson Twining

Jonathan Emerson Twining, 63, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Emerson and Rita (Howells) Twining. He was the devoted husband of 37 years to Julia (Elsen) Twining. Besides his wife, Jonathan is survived by his beloved son, Jonathan J. Twining; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, former students, and members of the many church communities he faithfully served throughout his life. Jon dedicated his career to higher education as a college professor, sharing his passion for caring for God's creation with his students. He touched the lives of many young people over the years, inspiring them through his knowledge, compassion, and unwavering commitment to teaching them about caring for the environment. One of his favorite outdoor classrooms were vernal pools. He also took his students to Hawaii and Costa Rica, introducing them to the diverse ecosystems of each area. He was also involved in frog bioacoustics research in Costa Rica, with his close friend and colleague, Professor John Cossel, PhD. His influence extended far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds of those he mentored. Jon made yearly mission trips to Sighisoara, Romania, between 1997-2003, with his wife Julie. The focus of these trips was to educate the local youth and residents about how to care for their environment and the importance of environmental stewardship. He took ENC students with him on several of these trip where they helped with the education. He touched the lives of many during these trips, while making lasting friendships. A gifted musician, Jon found great joy in worship through music. He played guitar and sang with the worship teams of several churches over the years, using his talents to glorify God and encourage others in their faith. Jon was also an enthusiastic nature photographer, his favorite subjects were sunrise/sunset at the beach and lakes. During the last few years, Jon was actively involved in Virtual Eco missions. He helped to support the Upendo Conservation Area, focused on restoration and preservation of a protected area and the Snake Community Action Network (SCAN), focused on snakebite prevention, both located in Kenya. Jon will be remembered for his deep faith in Jesus, kind spirit, dedication to his family, and the positive impact he made on so many lives. He will be greatly missed by his wife, son, extended family, friends, colleagues, and students. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Tufts Medical Center for the exceptional care and compassion Jon received throughout the past 18 months. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1p at Hope Church, 1114 Scituate Avenue, Cranston, RI.

Tributes

Jonathan Emerson Twining

May 29, 2026