John Walter Powers

SKANEATLES, N.Y. — John W. Powerspassed away May 11, 2009, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York. He was born June 30, 1938, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and spent his childhood in Rouses Point, N.Y.

John was a great father, fun grandfather, uncle and friend. Golf was practically in his DNA.

He spent his youth at the North Country Golf Club that his parents managed and where his father was the pro. He loved the game, and he played and worked there from the time he was a young boy — mowing fairways, "manicuring" greens, caddying and of course, getting in the early rounds that would result in a golf game that made his father proud.

John left Rouses Point to graduate from Syracuse University in 1960. John started a lifelong career with Niagara Mohawk in 1964 and served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for NiMo in Syracuse, retiring in 1998. John was passionate about some things in life: fathering a strong, supportive family of four boys, being one; and his immense collection of electric trains, another.

John was relaxed, fun-loving and loved by his wife; sons; and of course, family and friends around the country. John and Rega divided their time between Skaneateles and Parrish, Fla. He and Rega traveled the country, most recently to Alaska. John and his boys took many "guy trips," most recently to Ireland in 2007 to enjoy their mutual passion, golf!

John is survived by his wife, Rega; and sons, Michael (Patricia) of Columbus, Ohio, Randy (Sheila) of Skaneateles, John (Monica) of Bradenton, Fla., and David of Falls Church, Va.; seven grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his sisters, Maryann Pierleoni of Portland, Ore., and Catherine Ashline of Rouses Point.

He is predeceased by his sister, Joan; and much-loved daughter-in-law, Lynn Powers. A Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, May 16, at St. Mary's of the Lake in Skaneateles.

Donations in John's memory may be made to: McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site,509 W. Onondaga St. Syracuse, NY 13204 (McMahonryan.org), or The First Tee World Golf Village, 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092 (thefirsttee.org).