On 9/28/25, a beautiful Sunday fall afternoon, a newly planted elm tree was dedicated in a fitting tribute and honor of John Conte Jr at the First Church of Round Hill where John Street intersects with Round Hill Road. The new tree replaces a dying elm tree which was recently removed after many years near the front door of the church. When he unexpectedly passed in April, John was President of The Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC) and beloved past President of The Round Hill Association (RHA).
As a long time resident, John was well known in Greenwich for his community service and leadership in several organizations that bettered life in town. In addition to the GLT and RHA, this included Greenwich Green and Clean, Family Centers, Greenwich Chapter of Boy Scouts, The Greenwich Land Trust, Greenwich Audubon, as well as the town’s Architectural Review Committee and Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency. He also owned and operated Conte & Conte, a landscape design company that produced many lovely plantings on public and private properties throughout town.
The Round Hill Association knew John as a thoughtful and inclusive leader who always had the best interests of the backcountry in his actions. In particular, he was instrumental in preserving the character of the area by organizing resistance to an unwanted large residential housing development. At the same time, he also supported welcoming new residents to Round Hill and building a connections to others in the surrounding area.
The new John Conte tree will grow over time into a stately elm and serve as a reminder to him.
