John A. Wight

Dr. John A. Wight, 70, of Vernon, NY, passed away from a brief illness with pancreatic cancer on Sunday evening, February 1, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 4, 1955, the son of Gerald and Athelene (Swarthout) Wight, the youngest of five children at the time with three more to follow. He spent his youth helping in his grandfather Swarthout's pool hall, trading baseball cards, and shooting hoops.

During his junior year of high school, a broken wrist took him away from lunchtime basketball and connected him with his lifelong best friend and partner, Carol Pounds, while helping her with geometry.

He was salutatorian of his 1973 graduating class at Bolivar Central High School, although his grades often fluctuated depending on the sports season. He was an excellent basketball player; a 1973 Allegany County Class C All Star, despite once making a basketball on the wrong end of the court. He ran cross country and track, continuing a generational love of running- he was always proud that his father had held the school record for the mile for almost 30 years. He joined the school golf team, recognizing it as a sport you can pursue lifelong, but also spent as much time on the course hunting for golf balls with his buddy Phil Cole or Carol and later on with his sons.

He went on to SUNY Geneseo, considering a major in physical education, but as that degree was no longer offered he started off with science courses. He did so well he was nudged by others to go on to medical school. He worked as a student athletic trainer and one year was the college pocket billiards champion, winning 50-5. He received his bachelor's degree in Biology in 1977 and that fall he headed off to Upstate University Medical School in Syracuse, NY.

On August 12, 1978, John was united in marriage to Carol in Bolivar, NY and she joined him in Syracuse. They spent a total of 54 years together. He always stressed his appreciation for Carol supporting him. Med school, residency, and starting a medical practice are grueling endeavors that cannot be accomplished successfully without a partner like Carol.

After earning his Doctorate of Medicine in 1981, he travelled to Pittsburgh, PA, for residency at St. Margaret Hospital, one of the first in the nation for the emerging specialty of Family Medicine, graduating in 1984. There, John and Carol made enduring friendships with Ernie and Jane Charlesworth, who share John and Carol's wedding anniversary, which they have celebrated together on and off for decades. Ernie shared John's love for shooting pool and John felt Ernie knew him better than he knew himself.

Upon completion of residency, John and Carol returned to Central New York and John joined fellow St. Margaret grad John Nebzydoski in private practice in Canastota. His move to start his own practice in Vernon was prompted by Norm and Diana Laube, who saw the need for a doctor in Vernon and generously gifted the land that Tri-Valley Family Practice was built on, opening July 1, 1988. He worked like a dog (his words) for a number of years until Dr. James Vanderhoof joined him in 1995. A testament to his leadership, the majority of his staff stayed with the practice for decades and some through their retirement.

John knew that you cannot be a good doctor without being a good teacher; to your patients, to your staff, to your colleagues. He got the chance to revisit his teaching aspirations by taking on students from SUNY Upstate's Rural Medical Education Program (RMED), a few of whom went on to join the practice. Over time Tri-Valley expanded to another office in Canastota, John's efforts revived the Oneida Hospital's Canastota-Lenox clinic, and ultimately brought in 14 family physicians to the Oneida vicinity; a truly immeasurable contribution to our rural community.

John and Carol raised three amazing and accomplished children, always giving Carol all the credit. He was so proud of his children and thoroughly enjoyed fatherhood, valuing it as a gift and a deep responsibility. In 2012, John was promoted to grandfather, gaining 8 grandchildren over 10 years. He was always willing to babysit and took every opportunity to spoil them with time, love, toys, and trips to get ice cream.

John's love and pursuit of athletics continued the entirety of his life; he went to local school games, whether to watch a patient, a friend's child, or eventually his own children and grandchildren. He incorporated visits to baseball stadiums on family vacations. He was immensely proud of what his brothers accomplished for athletics in Allegheny County. He spent countless weekends with his buddy Dwight and the Evans family watching the Buffalo Bills. His favorite baseball player was Sandy Koufax and he was a true diehard Dodgers fan from childhood. Upon retirement, he had a revived passion for pocket billiards, playing in leagues and making new and renewed friendships.

One of John's favorite places in the world was St. John USVI. There he fell in love with snorkeling- he couldn't believe a boy from small town Bolivar would ever get to experience something like that. He viewed everything in his life through that lens: appreciating what an unexpected gift life can be. He loved this country, his eyes opened to it after a 1981 cross country trip with med school friends. He wanted to spend the rest of his days exploring it with Carol and Koufax in the camper van along with their new found friends.

John liked to say that he was an average smart person, but a pretty good people-person. He understood the value in fostering and honoring the connections between people. He should be remembered most for his generosity: with his time, his knowledge, his resources, and with his love.

Surviving are his beloved sweetheart, Carol; his three children, Dr. Erin (Michael) Thompson, of Oneida, Dr. Brian (Mary Caitlin) Wight, of Fairport, and Dr. Andrew (Danielle) Wight, of Manlius; his eight grandchildren, Evelyn, Oscar, and Gus Thompson; Eleanor, Penelope, and Bennett Wight; and Bodhi and Isla Wight; his siblings, David (Vye) Wight, of Monroe, NC, Gary (Anne) Wight, of Cuba, NY, Robert (Valerie) Wight, of Wellsville, NY, Mary (Fred) Shaner, of State College, PA, Thomas (Debbie) Wight, of Olean, NY, Scott Wight, and Lori Taylor of Brockport, NY. On Carol's side he is survived by his Mother-in-law Glenna Pounds (102 years young) and Sisters-in-law Molly Miller and Ruth Shields, and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents, Gerald and Athelene, Father-in-law Bud Pounds, Brothers-in-law Jeff and Gary, and his best friend Dwight Evans.

Dr. Wight's family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. William Berkery and Dr. James Longo (former classmates and dear friends), the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, and Dr. James Vanderhoof, for the kindness, compassion, and support of John and his family at the end of his life.

Family and friends are invited to and may call on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Ironside Family Funeral Homes, Inc., (formerly Malecki Funeral Home), 464 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill. A Celebration of Dr. Wight's life will be held at a future date, check back for details. Memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Wight's memory to the VVS Student Athletic Advisory Committee: SAAC, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, NY, 13478 or the VVS Education Foundation: PO Box 63, Sherrill, NY, 13461. You may view the obituary and send his family a message of sympathy at www.ironsidefuneralhome.com.