John L. Schlegel

AUBURN - John L. Schlegel, 73, of Auburn, died unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at his Jarvis Street home. John was born February 16, 1936, in Auburn. The son of Clarence Schlegel and June Barrette Schlegel, he was a graduate of Auburn#'s West High School. He served with the local National Guard Unit. John was a firefighter with the Auburn Fire Department for 37 years. He retired in 1994 having achieved the rank of fire captain. During his distinguished career, John was recognized for his courage and valor. In 1973 he was awarded the New York State Fire Fighter of the Year award. This award was a result of his heroic actions that saved the lives of two of his brother firefighters. His efforts also resulted in the Lion's Club Citizen of the year award of 1973 and the City of Auburn recognition of Fireman of the Year. John accepted these awards with a heavy heart, on behalf of all his fellow firefighters. He not only attained the rank of fire captain during his career, but he earned the respect of his fellow firefighters for his knowledge and professionalism. John was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, a member of the Auburn Firefighter's Retirees Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a former board member with the Auburn Federal Credit Union, and it was through his efforts that the credit union membership became available to the employees of the City of Auburn. He was an avid hunter, and drove a school bus for more than 40 years. John is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Joan Westcott Schlegel; his daughter, Jill Schlegel Stanton, of Auburn; two sons, John J. Schlegel Sr. and his wife, Patricia, of Weedsport, James M. Schlegel and his wife, Karen, of Jordan; nine grandchildren, John Jr., Tom, Jessica, Kathleen, Cindy and Trisha Schlegel, Michaela and Molly Stanton and McLean Cameron; a sister, Joan Merizzi; a brother, David Schlegel and his wife, Deborah, all of Auburn; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Westcott; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fleming. Friends are invited to call on the family, 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at White Chapel Funeral Home, 197 South Street. Contributions in memory of John L. Schlegel may be made to Aurora of Central New York , 518 James St., Syracuse, NY 13202-2219 or The Cayuga Home for Children, 101 Hamilton Ave., Auburn NY 13021 or the charity of one's choice. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.