John Albert Tarr

WATERLOO - John Albert Tarr, 94, of Waterloo, N.Y. passed away peacefully at Geneva General Hospital on Friday, September 12, 2025. John was born in Geneva, N.Y. on June 15, 1931, to Albert J. (DVM) and Mellie Scofield Tarr. He graduated from Geneva Schools in 1949 and Cornell University in 1953 with a degree in Dairy Science. He was an Alpha Zeta fraternity member and had ROTC training. John met his wife, Jessica Lou Roberts in Cornell's Home Economics cafeteria. He served in the US Army Ordinance Corp as an officer in Germany until 1955, then returned to the family farm and milk processing plant in Geneva.

Known for his churned butter, chocolate milk and eggnog, the plant provided milk and dairy products to grocery stores, schools, and homes in four counties of the Finger Lakes. Tarr's Dairy was the last of over 100 small milk bottling plants that once existed in central NY. After closing in 1994, John, accompanied by wife, travelled to Russian Siberian cities installing milk paper packaging machines which previously only had glass bottles. He was a choir member of the Presbyterian Church for 70 years, and part of the men's gospel quartet. John loved to sail on Seneca Lake from his cottage and for many years tended his vegetable garden.

Jessica Lou Roberts of Rochester married John in May 1957 and had 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Jessica teamed with John in the operation of the milk plant. He had been a 30-year volunteer at the food pantry in the Geneva Center of Concern.

John is survived by his wife, Jessica; son Alan (Shelley) of Idaho; daughters Janet Wixom of Victor, N.Y., and Karen (Steve) Oricchio of Connecticut. There are 4 grandchildren, Tiffany Wixom (Tom) Detrie, US Army Major Jacob (Kelli) Wixom, Matthew (Jess) Oricchio, Andrew (Christy) Oricchio; and 6 great-children, Henry and Emma Wixom, Aubree and Rocco Oricchio, Benjamin Detrie, and Madeleine Oricchio. John had several nephews and nieces. Special thanks to nephew Allan McDonald for his many visits to the farm.

John is predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Jeanne Moreland, Wilma Rice and Anne Getman; and son-in-law Timothy Wixom.

According to John's wishes, there will be no prior calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva. Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Presbyterian Church in Geneva or the Center of Concern. The care provided by the staff of 3 North at Geneva General Hospital was greatly appreciated.

Condolences and remembrances may be sent to www.coegenungfuneralhome.com