ONEONTA - John Patrick Nowhitney, age 93 joined our angels in heaven on Monday, May 23, 2016 with his beloved family by his side.

John was born on January 19, 1923 in Hudson Falls, New York, the son of John George Nowhitney and Myrtle (Dickinson) Nowhitney.

John graduated from Glens Falls High School, Glens Falls New York in 1941, where he excelled as an all- conference athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He was rated one of the best all- star athletes the school had known.

John enlisted in the United Stated Navy on November 19, 1942. He served proudly as an Aviation Ordnance Man Third Class aboard the USS Belleawood (CVL-24) until his honorable discharge on February 2, 1946. John served with unwavering courage alongside his fellow shipmates in the Pacific Theater Operations; the last occupation of Guam, the occupation of the southern Palaus, the Philippine Island raids, Morotai landings, Okinawa raid, northern Luzon and Formosa raids, Luzon strikes and the Battle of Cape Engano. On October 30th, 1944 while the Belleauwood was patrolling with her task group, east of Leyte, she shot down a Japanese suicide plane which fell on her flight deck aft causing fires which set off ammunition. Before the holocaust could be brought under control 92 men were killed or missing. A memory which haunted John until his death. John was awarded a number of military honors for his service and heroism including the World War II Victory Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Silver Star and four bronze stars, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon and Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars. Much later in life, John finally embraced the fact that he was a true hero in saving many lives that day, including his own. John was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by Senator James Seward on June 14, 2011 for his service in combat, an honor he treasured throughout the remaining years of his life.

After the war, John returned home and became a corrections officer for the state of New York at Greenhaven prison from 1947-1958. John was a true leader and was quickly promoted to the Commander of C Block, also known as a "Hall Captain" during that era. John was one of the youngest "Hall Captains" in the state of New York at that time, yet he decided to leave the life he had come to know behind concrete walls and yearned to exercise his entrepreneurial muscles. He opened "John Place", a tavern located in Ballston Spa New York in 1963 and it became a very hot spot for Ballston Spa's Navy boys, as well as the loyal local crowd. John also accumulated several pieces of real estate, which he bought and sold along the way, inclusive of John All Season's Steakhouse located in Schroon Lake New York.

John was predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn "Dee" (Campbell) Nowhitney on April 4, 1998. In addition, John was predeceased by his second wife, Alice Elizabeth (Perry) Nowhitney on August 15, 2015. John was also predeceased by two brothers, Donald P. Nowhitney, who passed in infancy and Thomas Nowhitney, who passed away on August 3rd, 1995. John is survived by five adoring children; Jana (Nowhitney) Brown of Malta, New York, Denise Jonne' Nowhitney of Mesa, Arizona, John "Johnny" Nowhitney of Albany, New York, Joseph John (Dawn) Nowhitney, of Franklin, New York and Lisa Lynn (George) Dolezel of Otego, New York. John is also survived by his beloved grandchildren; Derek Brown, Bryson Jay Johnson, Dan Dolezel, Mat (Anne) Dolezel, Luke Dolezel, Nate Dolezel, Joseph John Thomas Nowhitney, Alyssa Jane Nowhitney, Danny (Brittany) Youngs, Cassie (Ben) Mumbulo, and Courtney (Gregory) Scott. John leaves behind a legacy of great-grandchildren; Marcus Blain Nowhitney, Bryson Jay Nowhitney, Carter Youngs, Isaac Youngs, Zane Mumbulo, Addylan Mumbulo, McKaylee Scott and Eliza Scott.
It is evident that John made numerous friends through-ought his time spent in Hudson Falls, Saratoga, Ballston Spa, Schroon Lake, Franklin and Oneonta and he shared many beautiful memories with all of the people he touched along his path. We are so grateful for the companionship that you have provided to our dad throughout the years. John held a special place in his heart for his surviving sister(s) in-law Jane C. Perry of Franklin, New York and Denise (Thompson) Perry of Oneonta, New York and Dorothy (Perry) Downs (deceased). He absolutely treasured his surviving brother(s) in law Henry Magnus (Bobbi) Michelin, George (Debbie) Perry of Holly Springs, North Carolina and William "Billy" Downs of Ballston Spa, New York. Last, but certainly not least, John is survived by several nieces and nephews who John treated like his own children; Michael Michelin, Mary (deceased) (Greg) Ludlam, Robert (Trudy) Michelin, Peter (Gina) Michelin, Chris (Kelly) Perry, Nikki Perry (Jay Philbrick), and Kim (Devin) White. Our beautiful cousins will always treasure the memories that they had made throughout the years with their beloved Uncle John. John was truly an amazing man to us all and he will be missed beyond measure.

A funeral mass will take place 10:15 a.m. on June 27, 2016 at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church 39 Walnut Street in Oneonta, New York.

Interment will full military honors will follow at 3 p.m. at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, New York 12871. A reception will follow for family and friends at Harvest and Hearth Restaurant, County Route 67 (Stafford Bridge Road, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 from 4-7 pm.

Contributions in John's honor may be made to his beautiful families at Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, The New York State Veterans Home located in Oxford, New York and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are with Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.