MANNSVILLE, NY — John Frederick Greene, 89, Mannsville, NY, passed away in the early hours of Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, while in Zephyrhills, Florida.
A memorial service will be held noon Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home in Belleville, New York. Calling hours will be prior to the service from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home.
John was born at home on the farm in the town of Acram, Columbia County, NY on May 25, 1929, to Ruth Shaffer and John Dempsy Greene. John graduated from Pine Plains Central School, Dutchess County, where he was active in the FFA and sports. He loved farming and his first job after graduation was managing a farm in Dutchess County. Next he followed his father’s footsteps into employment with  the Borden Milk Company as a Dairy Inspector working in the Cortland-Marathon area of New York.  Soon he was drafted into the army where he served states-side for two years during the Korean War. While stationed in Alabama, he met his wife, Ruby Dell Goodson. They married on Dec. 29, 1952 and upon his discharge resumed work with Borden’s moving to Middlebury, Vermont where his two children were born.
In 1958 John and family moved to Burrville, then Adams Center, Jefferson County, NY where he continued with Borden’s at the Watertown, Adam’s, Cape Vincent and Mexico milk plants. He retired from Borden’s after 40 years and continued to work with other milk companies across the state for a few years.
In November 2000 John’s first wife, Dell, passed away after an extended illness. After a long winter alone, John, who thoroughly enjoyed music and dance ventured out to a senior dance at the State Office Building in Watertown. There he met Audrey Austin and soon a courtship commenced. They were married July 10, 2002, living summers in Mannsville, NY, and winters in Zephyrhills, Florida.
John had been an active volunteer in several organizations: the NYS Sanitarians, American Legion, and Snow Pals Snowmobile Club. He was very active for 58 years with the South Jefferson Lion’s Club, holding a variety of offices and traveling to many International conventions. He also received recognition in 2018 for 75 years of membership in the Grange.
John was predeceased by Dell, his first wife of 44 years, and his brother, Robert D. Greene, Palmyra, PA.
He is survived by his second wife of 17 years, Audrey Austin, Mannsville; two sisters: Joan (Bill) Smith and Sandra Greene of Hanover, PA.; son, John Stuart (Anne) Greene, Adams Center; Daughter, Karen (Jim) Rice, Endicott; Grandchildren:Â Morgan (Paul) Fiegl, Henderson; John Hunter (Connie) Greene, Sacramento, CA; Joel (Kristi) Rice, North Vernon, IN; Mike (Stephanie) Rice Endwell; Andrew (Amanda) Rice, Newark Valley; Timothy (Emily) Rice, Vestal and 14 great grandchildren.
John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a good friend and neighbor to everyone he met.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the South Jefferson Lions Club and mailed to Liz Walker 66 E. Church St., Adams, NYÂ 13605 or to the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills, FLÂ 33541.
