John Alcorn

Alcorn, John W.

Princess Anne-John Walter Alcorn of Princess Anne passed away November 11, 2016, at home with his wife by his side.

John was born in Atlantic City, NJ on January 7, 1942 to Clayton Reed Alcorn and Eleanore H. Soulas. He moved to Cortland, NY with his family in 1949 and graduated from Cortland Jr-Sr High School. He went on to earn a BA in History from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. He married Merrily Jane Gardner on February 15, 1964 at the Hamilton College chapel. He further went on to earn a teacher certification from Cortland State University.

John held many positions in his professional life, most notably as a pharmaceutical representative for both Lederle and Ciba Companies. After he moved to Congers, NY, he became a commercial utility analyst for National Utility Service in Queens, NY and later retired from Utilisave Company in New Rochelle, NY. He was for many years an itinerate substitute teacher for the Seneca Falls and Waterloo school districts in NY, a job he truly loved. He continued to substitute teach after retirement in the Somerset County school system, primarily at Washington Academy and High School in Princess Anne.

John was an intelligent man with many interests, an avid reader, musician, model railroader and woodworker, building bookcases and cabinets for his family.

A life-long Presbyterian, he served as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Seneca Falls, NY, where he also taught Sunday School, led the Sr. High youth group, and directed a brass ensemble.

John loved living on Maryland's Eastern Shore and his 2-acre property; mowing the lawn not so much. But his John Deere was cool, and he loved his Chevy S10, his dog MacKenzie, and his cats Kristy and Seamus.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years Merrily Gardner Alcorn, daughters Susan J. Robbins of Princess Anne, Sally A. Brady (George) of Cold Spring, NY, and Janet E. Yankosky (Bill) of Wilson, NC, his beloved grandchildren Morrigan and Fiona Brady, Bailey and Riley Robbins, and John and Jacob Yankosky. Also surviving are brother-in-law James W. Gardner, sisters-in-law Rita Alcorn and Melody A. Rush, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

John has donated his body to the Anatomy Gifts Registry in Hanover, MD. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to thank his many caregivers over this very trying last year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.