John R. Tyler II

August 3, 1934-March 12, 2023
John grew up in Canandaigua, NY, and attended Canandaigua Academy. He went on to Amherst College where he majored in economics and graduated cum laude in 1956. Upon graduation, he entered Officer Training School in Newport, RI, and would spend the next three years aboard a navy destroyer, where he had the opportunity to visit numerous locales in the Pacific.
Once his naval service was complete, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1963 and joining the law firm of Nixon Hargrave, now Nixon Peabody. His entire career was spent there and he retired in 1998, after spending five years on the management committee and 25 years as head of the firm's banking and lending practice.
John was heralded as a skilled corporate lawyer who handled a wide variety of complex legal transactions for many influential companies. During this time, he was also active on county- and state-wide banking law committees.
John loved the outdoors and downhill skiing was the perfect winter sport for him as he never seemed to get cold. He was a self-professed ski bum during his pre-law school sabbatical in Utah. Later on, he would realize one of his many downhill dreams- helicopter skiing in the Bugaboos of British Columbia.
Other trips included rafting the Colorado River, a honeymoon sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands complete with kids and step kids, Adirondack fishing trips, African safaris, Caribbean cruises and ski trips to Europe.
In addition to ski season, John's life was very much guided by the other two seasons- duck-hunting season and fishing season. He landed a record-setting lake trout at Little Moose Lake and was forever impressed by the beauty of brook trout and their intricate markings.
He was also an excellent craftsman. Whether it be a complicated corporate negotiation, model sailboat or productive vegetable garden, he crafted things with care, creativity, honesty and detail. When a 2010 stroke put a damper on some of his favorite activities, he repurposed an empty tennis can to help anchor his fishing rod. He also continued to ski for several years, holding his own, but with one less pole.
He also loved a good party, a cold gin and tonic after a sweaty game of tennis at the Valley Club or on the unpredictable wood-slatted courts of the Adirondack League Club. He reveled in a river full of rises and a marsh full of mallards. He cherished early morning expeditions with his duck-hunting partners, lifelong friendships and family reunions.
John is survived by his devoted and eternally optimistic wife Janet, son John (Danie) of Edwards, Colo., and daughters Barrie Hillman (Mark) of Poulsbo, Wash., Cynthia Sims (Shay) of Wellesley, Mass., and Heather Gray of Rochester. He is also survived by grandchildren Luke, Talia, Julie, Tyler, Sam and Summer, and his nephew Richard Hutchinson, and nieces Dr. Susan Rockwell and Virginia Tyler Smith.
Friends may call Friday, April 14 from 4-6PM at the funeral chapel (2305 Monroe Ave.). A Service will be held Saturday, April 15, 10AM at the funeral chapel. John was an avid supporter of Geva Theater and many other organizations. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to consider a donation to Geva or Habitat for Humanity.