John A. Mack

Born on June 8, 1908 in Fort Morgan, Colorado, John was the son of Ralph J. and Carrie A. Davis Mack.

John's colorful career began as a Critic Teacher at Cornell University from which he graduated in 1934. He later earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees in education from Cornell. Upon graduation he agreed to a teaching position in Vocational Agriculture in the Ithaca Public Schools. The Ithaca Schools then offered John the position of Director of Adult Education, which he held for many years. He then worked for the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga Boces as the Director of Adult Education until his retirement on January 1, 1969.

Integrated with the busy teaching schedule was John's dedication to serving in other ways such as, President of NYS Teacher's of Agriculture, President of NY Teacher's Assn.-Southern Zone, Vice-President of NYS Adult Education Assn., active participation in his district's PTA, his Chairmanship of the Victory Gardens for Tompkins County during WW II, holding an Executive Board position of the Community Chest for 10 years and his membership in the Sertoma Club of Ithaca.

Since 1935, John has been a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where he was very active in worship. He served as layleader at different times over the years and was quick to offer a smile and kind word to all.

Following retirement, John and his wife Marian travelled to every one of the 48 states in the union. John's most cherished times were those enjoyed with Marian and their family. In 1995 the couple moved to Syracuse to be close to their children. (At the Nottingham, John was chosen as the "Citizen of the Year"!)

In addition to his wife, whom he married on February 20, 1932, John is survived by 2 daughters, Janet (Rev. Harold W.) Garman of Syracuse and Patricia (John H.) McFall of Baldwinsville; a son, Alan (Marsha) Mack of Plano, Texas; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor Fairbanks of Ithaca and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Cunningham Building at Loretto on Wednesday, July 3, 2002 at 11:00 am with the Rev. Shirley Moore-Krackhardt and the Rev. Marilyn Wolfe officiating.

Prayers of committal, at the Willow Glen Cemetery in Dryden, will be on Wednesday at 2:00 pm.

Contributions in John's memory may be directed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg.