Obituary of John W. Potter

John W. Potter, age 71, of Blossvale, passed away, December 22, 2009, at Rome Memorial Hospital, with his loving family at his side. He was born December 14, 1938, in Altmar, NY, a son of Adin and Mae Grinnell Potter, and educated in Rome Schools. John was united in marriage to the former Shirley J. Whipple, on August 27, 1960, in the Taberg Methodist Church. He formerly owned Potter Chevrolet in Corinth, NY, and later worked and retired as a salesman at Davidson Chevrolet in Rome. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Taberg. He proudly served our Country in the United States Marine Corps. He was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League, Memorial Detachment #2, and was a former Justice for the Town of Annsville. John loved cars. He was an expert mechanic and was often called to fix or find the answer to any automotive problem when others couldn't. His love of cars also led him to devise or invent devices which enhanced the safety or reliability of vehicles. John is survived by his wife, Shirley; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and David Farr of South Glens Falls, NY, Suzanne and Nicholas Striglia of Poultney, VT, and Ida Mae and Sherwin Billingsley of O'Fallon, IL; a son and daughter-in-law, Adin and Melissa Potter of South Glens Falls, NY; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Joan and Joseph Beasock of Ocala, FL, Ruth Mortis of Westernville, Pat Scherz of Lee Center, and Louanne and John Boardman of Taberg; a brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Cyndi Potter of Blossvale; grandchildren, Ashley, Nicholas, Zachary, Vincent, Lindsey, Kyle, Gloria, Alexis and Shawn, several nieces and nephews, and his two dogs, Gizmo and Meime. He was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Gene Scherz and Ron Mortis. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10:30 AM, at St. Patrick's Church in Taberg. Burial will be in the Spring, in Maple Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Sunday 3 to 7 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Church Memorial Fund or the American Lung Association. The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff on 2 North at Rome Memorial Hospital for their care, compassion and friendship extended to John during his illness.