John Anthony Migonis

1925 - 2018

John Anthony Migonis 1925 - 2018
HAMILTON - It is with a heavy heart the Migonis family announces the death of its patriarch, John Anthony Migonis, on August 20th, 2018. With family at his side, John peacefully passed away at home, following a battle with cancer.
Born on August 26, 1925, he was the son of the late John and Victoria Migonis. His parents bought the present day Cedar Crest Farm the year John was born. All of John's siblings predeceased him: sisters, Ann Johnson, Eva and Margaret Migonis, as well as two brothers that died before his birth, Joseph and John Peter Migonis.
John graduated from Hamilton Central School in 1943. He played basketball, football and was active in the FFA while in school.
John met and married his late wife, Ingrid (Fostveit), in 1948. Once married, they took over the operation of the Cedar Crest Farm and raised six children together. John was a hard working farmer that appreciated nature and the land. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, growing vegetables and playing with his pets. When the children were young, John and Ingrid enjoyed hosting family reunions and playing cards with other couples from the neighborhood. Over the years, the farm had chickens, pigs, horses, geese and honey bees in addition to the dairy cows. He marveled at the land and stood in awe, often commenting on the beauty of its surroundings and its produce. John was especially fond of picking all kinds of berries and was reluctant to leave any of "those beauties" hanging on their bushes.
After passing ownership of the farm to his son, Andrew, John remained active there. Until recently, you could see him driving tractor, mowing the lawn, feeding the calves, making his infamous dandelion wine, sitting on a hay bale playing with the barn kittens or puttering around the farm house. He had several convertibles in his lifetime and occasionally drove around the block to deliver a treat of freshly picked berries or homemade wine to treasured friends or neighbors. John's first buck was a 10 pointer that is still in the record book for NY State and remains on display in the family home. When John became less active, he continued in the role of supervisor.
John fondly bestowed nicknames to the children and grandchildren that are still in use today. John was tough as nails, but occasionally and more often as he aged, showed his tender and silly side. Once you knew him, the tough facade faded and his spunk and spirit were evident.
John leaves behind a legacy. Surviving John are his six children, Greg (Dorothy Schram), Nancy Jones (Richard), Marc (girlfriend Erin Conway), Andrew (Victoria Mosher), Mary Jane Davis (William) and Barbara Cook (Robert), as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other extended family.
John had a handful of treasured friends he mentored about farming and hunting. We will all miss this man and his immeasurable presence on the farm. His values of hard work and determination set an example for all.
With the love and support from his children, their spouses and grandchildren, John's desire to spend his entire life on Cedar Crest Farm was fulfilled.
Per John's request, there are no calling hours and the services will be private for the family.
Please consider donations in his name to: Wanderers Rest Humane Association, 7138 Sutherland Dr., Canastota, NY 13032 or Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, NY.
To send a condolence and sign the Book of Memories online, go to www.burgessandtedesco funeralhomes.com.