John was born on September 16,1936, to Floyd and Pauline Francis in Massena, New York. He graduated from Catholic high school in Massena and attended barber school afterwards; he owned his own barber shop in Parish, New York, for many years before working for the State of New York Department of Transportation in Mexico, New York. In 1979, he moved to Valrico, Florida, where he built homes for a time. He then worked for USave and Staples & Stevens as a maintenance engineer before retiring.
John married his wife Nancy Lou Cone in 1957 and they were happily married for 52-plus years. They had 4 children, Lou Ann, Mike, Craig, and James. John and Nancy enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. After retiring, they made trips to Branson and Tennessee, where they enjoyed square dancing and country music at its best. They also traveled to Alaska and spent summers with family and friends in upstate New York.
John was an accomplished carpenter and enjoyed creating things in his home woodshop and building with his hands. He built reindeers, bird feeders, toy boxes, nightstands, coffee tables—and anything Nancy fancied and wished he would build. John got plenty of use out of the in-ground pool he and family built at their home. He frequently gave to Republican causes and did not miss an opportunity to donate to charities for children and veterans. He was a faithful Catholic and member of Nativity Catholic Church where he attended until he was not physically able to, at which point he began watching services on EWTN and receiving communion regularly from Nativity Pastoral Care.
John was predeceased by his wife, Nancy, and his brothers, Stanley, Dan, Wayne, Earl, and Jerry. He is survived by his sister, Diane Wood (Robert); daughter, Lou Ann; sons, Mike (Debbie), Craig (Betty), and James (Mia); 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers John and the family are asking anyone so inclined to donate to Life Path Hospice Care; their nurses, caregivers, and staff were such a blessing to John and his family, as they are to so many others.
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