Harold Nixon

Harold G. (Jack) Age 78, of Hammondsport, NY, passed away on Thursday, February l, 2007, following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. Jack, as he was called by family and friends, was born on September 14, 1928 in Corning, NY, the son of Roy A. and Winifred Maltby Nixon. He graduated from Corning Northside and was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Jack was a graduate student of finance at Syracuse University and earned a Bachelor's degree there in Economics. He was Chapter President of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. An Elmira businessman, in 1953 Harold began as a Mechanical Contractor. His company performed heating, air conditioning, ventilation, electric and plumbing on industrial, commercial, and public works projects within the eastern U.S. and Canada. Simultaneously, he developed and owned Commercial Real Estate Properties, including thirteen U.S. Post Office facilities in the Southern Tier of New York. Harold was a pillar in business communities, helping his friends start many businesses. Publicly he is known for his battles against the Elmira Urban Renewal Agency after the Flood of 1972. He fought against the agency's policy of using Eminent Domain to condemn large sections of private land for public use and then improperly planning the redevelopment of downtown Elmira. Mostly he had victories as his buildings remain at the heart of many communities. Jack is survived by his wife of 25 years, Onalee Barton; five daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Alan O'Neil of Venice, FL, Debbie and Albert Babinicz of Simpsonville, SC, Patty and Anthony Werner of Castle Rock, CO, Laurie and Rick Guild of DePere, WI, and Jacquelyn Nixon of Rochester, NY; one son and daughter-in-law, Harold G. and Joy Nixon, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; three stepchildren, Craig and Sue Sabin of Endwell, NY, Laural Sabin of Dallas, TX, and Todd and Jodi Sabin of Morganville, NJ; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Roy A. and Fran Nixon of Sparta, TN, Philip A. and Donna Nixon of Vero Beach, FL; two sisters and brother-in-law, Lucy and L. R. Walbridge of Hammondsport, NY, Kathryn Nixon of Vero Beach, FL; first wife, Lois Greene Ritchie of St. Petersburg, FL; 17 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers, Henry M. Nixon of Painted Post, NY, and Alan R. Nixon of Corning. An avid bridge player, Jack participated in numerous bridge groups through the years. He enjoyed collecting antiques and collectibles with his wife and had great admiration for the ingenuity of our ancestors. In his younger years, Jack enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and boating, and logged thousands of hours as a private pilot for both business and pleasure. His greatest joy was hosting get-togethers of family and friends at his Keuka lake home. Friends may call Monday from Noon to 2 p.m. at the LaMarche Funeral Home, 35 Main St., Hammondsport. Funeral services will be Monday at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport. In addition, a Memorial Service of Celebration will be held on June 17, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Hammondsport United Methodist Church. Rev. Paul J. Rowley will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572; or to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830.