Obituary of John Morris Babock

WATERTOWN – John M. Babcock, 80, 22971 NYS Route 11, died early Sunday morning at home. Born in Carthage on March 2, 1934, the son of Joseph & Florence Blanchard, he attended local schools. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953; he served his country faithfully until his retirement in 1973. During his military career, he served both at home and in Vietnam; he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his service, he worked for the New York Air Brake in Watertown and also as a civilian employee on Ft. Drum. John was a very patriotic man; he was a member of the Carthage Veterans of Foreign Wars Dionne – Rumble Post #7227 and the Dexter American Legion Post # 583. He was a caring and loving father and grandfather who loved watching sports, especially SU basketball and New York Mets Baseball. He also had an affinity for Ford Thunderbirds. He married Sally Martin on May 5, 1955; the couple had 5 children together. Mrs. Babcock died in August of 1986 at the age of 50. John is survived by his children and their respective spouses; Edith & Bruce Finley, Cape Vincent, Jane & Walt Powell, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, John M. Babcock, Jr., Watertown, Jeffery & Lisann Babcock, Watertown and Brian J. Babcock, Watertown. Also surviving are his siblings; Donna Davis, Carthage, Ruth & Donald Meyer, Castorland, Joseph & Mary Babcock, Dexter, Donald & Sharon Babcock, California and Michael Babcock, Florida, 20 Grandchildren, 31 Great Grandchildren , 1 Great-Great Grandchild and was expecting one more. He is predeceased by his wife, Sally and his siblings, Christine Miles, Sherman Babcock and Rose Morgan. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 20, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. Burial with Military Honors will be in the spring at Fairview Cemetery, Carthage. Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday, February 19th from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 PM. His family has requested that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or www.cancer.org. Online condolences may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com