Obituary of John G. Powers

Warrensburg: John (Jack) Gerard Powers, of Schroon River Rd., fell asleep in the arms of the Lord after a long, courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at his home in Warrensburg. Jack was 84 years young. Mr. Powers was born in the Bronx on October 3, 1922. He was the son of the late James and Antoinette Powers and was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Brooklyn Prepatory Jesuit Catholic School in Holis, N.Y. After two years of attendance at Brooklyn Polytech Institute in Aeronautical Engineering, he became a WWII Fighter Pilot and Squadron Operations Officer. During WWII, he continued within the Air Force Reserve while working as a Test Pilot in Engineering until the early fifties. He held a commercial pilot certificate and obtained a bachelors degree with high honors cum laude from Brooklyn Ploy Tech Institute in Mechanical Engineering and concentrated his efforts in this broader field for family considerations. He retired at the level of Manager of Engineering from Neles Jamesbury in Glens Falls officially in 1990, but continued private consulting until 1995. On November 9, 1943, he married his “Angel”, Marie Joan Hickey and raised two children. Mr. Powers enjoyed many interests. His primary interest was aviation, although his love of horses and landscaping proved to be most enjoyable on his 20 acre parcel and home site in Warrensburg. He was able to create his own horse trails and many creative landscaping projects. His most memorable landscaping project was “Angel Park” which was a wonderful tribute to his late wife, Marie. He was a devoted husband, loving father, adored, dynamic and active grandfather and great grandfather. His greatest joy was his family. Mr. Powers will always be remembered as the most respected and respectful person that anyone has ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was extremely intelligent, quick witted and had a wonderful sense of humor. Jack was a special person to all whom he came in contact with. His presence had a memorable effect on everyone. He was an honorable man who earned respect as freely as he gave it. Jack was a gentle man and gentlemen. His wife of 59 years, Marie, sister, Kay, brothers in law Gerald, Jim, William, “Little” Joe Hickey, Arnold Leoparti, Rudy Lange and Thomas Casey, and sister in law, Kathryn Casey all of Long Island have pre-deceased him. Survivors include his daughter, Valerie Murray of Warrensburg; son, John Powers Jr. and wife, Terry of Bolton Landing. Grandchildren, Valerie Erceg and husband, Anthony of Saratoga Springs, Robert Murray and wife, Darcy of Middletown, DE, Dawn Powers and husband, Patrick of Warrensburg, Heather Powers of San Francisco, CA, John and Jesse Powers of Colorado. Great grandchildren, Jennifer and Jared Murray of Middletown, DE, Sean and Tyler Powers of Warrensburg. His brother Jim and wife, Doris of Michigan. Over 50 nieces and nephews; two brothers in law, Charles Hickey and wife, Martha, Joe Hickey and wife, Lila; seven sisters in law, Bernice Leopardi, Angela Veldmeyer and husband, John, Margaret Lange, Josephine Kent and husband, William, Patricia Fox, and Geraldine Xiques. A special note of thanks to niece Maureen and husband Tom Heath of Clifton Park for all the help and support given to our family during this long journey. Friends may call on Jack’s family from 9-10:30 am Thursday at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am Thursday at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Lake George with Father Paul Cox, pastor, officiating. Rite of Committal with full military honors will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Expressions of sympathy can be in the form of two donations to the Glens Falls Hospital Cancer Center or High Peaks Hospice. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.