November 29, 2012       

SACKETS HARBOR, N.Y.  —  John A. Rankin, 72, of Madison Barracks, Sackets Harbor, and Vonn Road, Largo, Fla., passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 28, at the Largo Medical Center, Largo, Fla.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown, with Pastor Jeff Smith and Deacon Ed Miller officiating. Burial with Marine Corps honors will follow in the Military Cemetery, Sackets Harbor. Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the funeral home.

Born Jan. 31, 1940, in Watertown, a son to Allen and Mildred Anderson Rankin, he graduated in 1958 from General Brown High School and attended Morrisville College. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1965, stationed on the USS Randolph during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Rankin worked as an electrician for IBEW Local 910 for over 40 years. While working for IBEW he served as Union President for many years. John worked on many construction projects around the country to include the Alaskan Pipeline, as well as projects in Michigan and Maine.

He was a member of the Watertown Elks, Adams V.F.W., Brownville Legion, and played Red & Black Football for many years.

Surviving are his wife of over 20 years, Mary Lou Hurlbut Rankin; three daughters, Deborah Williams, Adams, Roxanne (Fred) Doner, Philadelphia, and Dawn Rankin, Watertown; two step-sons, Lloyd (Paula) Hurlbut, Watertown, and Steven Hurlbut, Rochester; two step-daughters, Susan Hurlbut, Chase Mills, Sharon (Doug) Leavens, Gansevoort, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; a brother, George Rankin, Watertown; two sisters Sandra Hemphill, Yorktown, Va., and Joanne (Johnson) (Robert) Robl, Dexter; many nieces and nephews. 

John was previously married to Marie Miller Rankin, who predeceased him.

Contributions may be made in his name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, NY, NY 10163-4777.

Condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.






Information provided by Reed & Benoit Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.