John Lounsbury, a mason who built his own home and loved family activities, died peacefully at home with his family by his side on Saturday, July 13, 2024. He was 85.

He was born in Dormansville, New York, on Feb. 9, 1939 to the late Theodore and Lena (née Fisher) Lounsbury. Raised in Dormansville as one of 17 children, he attended Greenville Central School then moved just up the hill to raise his own family.

“He was a quiet man, known for his quick wit and infectious chuckle,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was a grand storyteller; tales from his childhood to the most recent happenings he found amusing. He could easily have the entire room in stitches before the end.

“He enjoyed annual fishing and hunting trips, snowmobiling, golfing, and playing baseball. He loved family dinners, playing summer volleyball and softball with his children, and spending time with his grandchildren playing dominos, attending sporting events, and fishing.

“In later years, John split his time between his homes in Westerlo and Summerfield, Florida, where he enjoyed lunches, playing cards with friends, basking in the sun, walks, word searches, and endless TV westerns. 

“John was a mason by trade, and a member of the Bricklayer & Allied Craftworkers Union Local 2 for over 62 years. He built his own home and helped many with their home projects. He was part owner of BCLP Masonry for a time, worked for Ganem Contracting, Sweet Associates, and Jersen Industries to name a few, in addition to many pool builders.

“Take me home! — ‘Take me home,’ John would say. ‘You are home,’ I would say. ‘Take me home,’ he would say, ‘I want to go home.’ Today I say, ‘Now you are home, John. You are with those you love, who went home to God before you. Rest in peace, my husband; I will one day say, “Take me home” and will join you Jeff and Tammy in eternal peace. Until then, you are home now my Love.”

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John Lounsbury is survived by his wife of 63 years, Diane (née Vincent) Lounsbury; his daughters, Kimberly (John) Lounsbury of Delmar and Danielle Ross of Panama City Beach, Florida; his granddaughter, Erin (Anthony) Schrimp; and his grandsons, Bobby (Shannon) Patrick II, Zac Patrick, and Andon Fairlie.

One of 17 siblings, he is survived by his brother, Terry (Eva) Lounsbury, and by his his sisters, Bettejean Mueller and Sandra Ross, and by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Don Berkhofer, Marie Lounsbury, Irene Lounsbury, Donna Lounsbury, Roger (Lillian) Chrysler, Kathy Chrysler, Donnie (Diane) Chrysler, Kevin (Kathy) Lounsbury, William (Linda) Miller, Jack (Karen) Miller, Jay Pitman, Elaine (Gary) Miller, Sharon Miller, Kay Viele, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His son, Jeffrey Lounsbury, died before him, as did his daughter Tammy Patrick, and her husband, Bobby Patrick; and his siblings, Theodore (Dorothy), Harold, Lloyd (Cora), Pat, Clyde, Dennis, Roger, Tommy, Billy; Harriet (Bucky) Peck, Marge (Frank) White, Janet Berkhofer, and Janice: brothers/sisters-in-law: Billy Mueller, Ricky Chrysler, Wade Chrysler, Karen Pitman.

“The family would like to extend a special thank-you to his favorite granddaughter, Erin Schrimp, Anthony Hernandez, Ronald Schrimp, and Community Hospice staff, Erin, Chi, and Rhonda, for their exceptional care and support.,” the tribute said.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice.

Calling hours will be Friday, July 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home at 4898 State Route 81, Greenville.

The memorial service will be Saturday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by burial of his ashes in the family plot in the Westerlo Rural Cemetery.