John R. Powers

John R. Powers, 85, of Minoa, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2025 at St. Joseph's Hospital after a brief illness. John grew up in Eastwood. He graduated from Eastwood High School and Syracuse University with a degree in Operations Management. John worked his entire 34 year career at Bristol-Myers-Squibb in various positions, finally retiring in 1994 as a manager in Materials Management from the Evansville, IN plant where he and his wife Gerri spent 8 years.
John always woke up with a smile on his face, and enjoyed telling stories and having conversations with family, friends, and neighbors. He was an avid SU football and basketball fan and loved doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. John and his wife always had 2 cats in the house, and he usually had to get Mel off his lap before he could answer the phone. But the true loves of his life were his children, Linda and David.
John was predeceased by his father and step-mother, Durward R. Powers (Dora); his mother, Margaret Badgley Brown; and brother, William Collins.
John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Geraldine (Gerri) Gratien Powers; daughter and son-in-law, Linda Powers (Mike Davis); son, David Powers; granddaughters, Dr. Allyson Powers and Camille Powers; brother and sister-in law, Tim (Kathy) Collins; brothers and sisters-in-law, Patricia A. Burton, Diane Sidmore, Janet (CAB) Burns, and Brian (Theresa) Gratien; along with multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His wife would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at St. Joseph's hospital unit 2-4 for their caring and compassionate care during John's final days. Calling hours will be 10am to 12pm on Saturday, July 19th, with a brief service to follow at 12pm, all at R.H. Schepp & Son Minoa Chapel, 6530 Schepps Corners Rd, Minoa. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Minoa.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, contributions may be made to the CNYSPCA, 5878 East Malloy Rd, Syracuse, NY 13211.