John h. potter

John Howard Potter, 64, born on March 11,1957 in Norwich NY, passed away March 10, 2022, in Cooperstown, NY after a brief illness. John lived in Bainbridge NY with his wife, Bonnie (Jones) Potter.

He spent 2 years in his youth, attending East Syracuse - Minoa, as he remembered fondly then attended and graduated from Oxford Academy High School in 1975. After high school he attended Alfred State College, for photography, but decided to go to work. He started working for Victory Markets, at the corporate office building in Norwich, NY and after Victory’s closing, he went to work in Bainbridge, NY at Borden’s, Inc. (Elmer’s Glue Factory). After Borden’s closed, he attended SUNY Delhi for Heating and Plumbing.

John cherished his daughter Kimberly (Potter) Reed, and bonus daughters Stacey (Wood) Corteville and Elizabeth (Watson) Hitt.

He became an active member of the Oxford Fire Department and regaled at all the wonderful memories he had with all members through the years.

John loved talking of his memories of working on family farms with his “Potter” cousins, and of time spent with his “Paden” cousins, and all the wonderful times he had with his brother George Potter, Jr. and sister Christine (Potter) Orzel and all his family.

John was always known for his smile, laugh and ability to make friends with any person he met. In recent years, his cherished moments were spending time with his beloved grandchildren, who so affectionately called him “Jumpie Grandpa” and “Grandpa Santa”! His grandchildren brought him pure joy and happiness; it could always be seen on his face!

John was predeceased by his mother Ruth M (Paden) Potter, his father George C. Potter Sr., his maternal grandparents Harold and Tessie Paden, and his fraternal grandparents Howard and Christine Potter, as well as his wife’s grandfather, Clarence R Dibble. All with whom he adored with all his heart.

John is survived by his wife Bonnie, daughters and sons in law, Kimberly (Potter) and John Reed, Stacey (Wood) and Michael Corteville, and Elizabeth (Watson) and Joe Hitt, his brother and sister-in-law, George and Kathleen (Marso) Potter, Jr., his sister and brother-in-law Christine (Potter) and Charles Orzel. his grandchildren, Jordan (Bret), Jhenna, Joel, Erin, Audrey, Madelyne, Emelia, and Troy. His great-grandchildren, Jaylynn, Caedynce, Christopher, Liam, Jaxon, Isaac, and soon to be named baby boy. His sister-in-law Donna Jones, brothers-in-law Robert Jones, and Arthur and Cindy Jones, Jr. His mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sandy and Fred Frewart. And his special nieces and nephews he shared a unique bond with, Marie, Denise(goddaughter), Karen, Theresa, Rachel, Chad, Ryan, Cody, Matthew, plus many nieces and nephews he loved dearly. and cousins he adored through his whole life.

Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on Friday, March 18, 2022, from 6 to 8 PM. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at the funeral home with his cousin, Rev. John Goodness of the Hemlock United Methodist Church officiating. The family is asking for everyone to please wear a mask during attendance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Fire Department, PO Box 570, Oxford, NY 13830. Friends and family may share memories and condolences at behefuneralhome.com