John E. Beggs

John E. Beggs, 74, of Rome, NY, a skilled craftsman and dedicated educator, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024, at Rome Health with his beloved wife, Vera, at his side. He was born on September 5, 1949, in Ogdensburg, NY, son of the late George and Inez Rutherford Beggs of Ogdensburg, NY. John was a graduate of Morristown Central School where he earned the honor of Salutatorian of his class. He continued his education at SUNY Oswego, earning a Master's degree in Industrial Arts Education. In 1971, John was united in marriage to Vera Baldassari in a ceremony which took place at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Seneca Falls, NY. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam war while enlisted in the Army National Guard for several years. For over 33 years, John taught Industrial Arts at Strough Junior High School in Rome. John was honored to be selected as Teacher of the Year by the Mohawk Valley Technology Education Association in 1991, and to receive the Clarkson Award for Inspirational High School Educator in 2002. John also owned and operated Creative Technology, a business for building home additions, creating furniture, and cutting down large trees. John loved the outdoors, especially riding his snowmobile on the snow-covered trails of the Tug Hill Plateau and in the Laurentian Mountains of Canada, and riding his four-wheeler on local trails and the Tug Hill Plateau. John and Vera loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting all 50 states of the US. For over 20 years, John was a dedicated member of the Lee Center Trailbusters Snowmobile Club, where he spent countless hours volunteering his time clearing trails, building bridges, and grooming trails, as well as conducting the Young Snowmobilers Safety course.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Vera; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Harriet Beggs of Ogdensburg, NY and Stephen and Susan Beggs of Surfside Beach, SC; a sister-in-law, Lois Baldassari-Mather and her husband Patrick Mather of Baldwinsville, NY; along with several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions in John's memory can be made to the Trailbusters Snowmobile Club Inc., P.O. Box193, Lee Center, NY 13363

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, September 7, from 1-4 p.m. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Road, Rome, NY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place on Monday, September 9, at Evergreen Cemetery in Stokes, NY, at 1 p.m.