Obituary of John W. Churchill

On March 1, 2016, John W. Churchill passed away at the Cortland Regional Medical Center surrounded by loving family. After a stroke in December, John’s long term heart issues worsened leading to hospitalization with congestive heart failure at the end of February. He was 85. John was the son of the late Neil S. Churchill and Sarah Cottrell. John was preceded in death by his wife Jule Beaudry Churchill, his sister Elizabeth Churchill Modery, brother Archibald Chauncey Churchill, a niece and a nephew. He is survived by his son John Beaudry, daughter-in-law Donna, son Seth Cottrell, daughter-in-law Charlotte, and two beloved granddaughters Sarah Grace and Emma Kathryn and a multitude of nieces and nephews. John was born in a farm house on Cold Brook Road in Homer on February 12, 1931. After graduating from Cortland High School in 1949 and working for the local electric utility for a year, John entered the US Navy and served until 1954. He was stationed in Africa during the Korean War and in several locations in the US including Jacksonville, Florida. After leaving the Navy he matriculated to SUNY Cortland where he had to decide between Education and Recreation opting for the latter over Education. John continued his studies at the University of Illinois in Champagne Urbana (Masters) and the University of Wisconsin at Madison (PhD), where he outgrew his reluctance for teaching, ending up at the University of Maryland where he was an Associate Professor for over 30 years. After retiring from the University in 1994, his wife, Jule, took a job with the University of Maryland University College Schwabish Gmund, Germany near Stuttgart, where John enjoyed telling the locals he was the "house husband". He also loved sitting in the beer garden at the school where the students could stop by for his advice and company. Students from all over the world were able to enjoy his company, and many used him as a substitute father while they were so far from home. Perhaps John’s greatest attribute was his love for people. He was always ready to be in fellowship with others and willing to help in any way he could. He was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cortland having first attended while in college. Upon returning to New York to Little York Lake in 2000, John returned to the UU where his interest in the spiritual continued to grow until the end of his life. Another of John’s other interests was the theater having appeared in many plays during college. After developing a passionate interest in Winston Churchill, John wrote and appeared in a one man play entitled “Churchill on Churchill”, which he loved to perform for local community organizations. John also enjoyed the game of golf. John’s family is very grateful for all the care he received at his Walden Place Home, the Groton Community Care Center, and the Cortland Regional Medical Center, and from his niece Pat. His family is also especially grateful to have seen him light up as they and friends came to his bedside. Calling hours will be held 4-7pm on Friday March 4 with a service at 11am Saturday March 5 at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY, 13045. in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in John's name is asked to consider the Unitarian - Universalist Church of Cortland or the charity of one's choice. to offer online condolences visit www.wright-beard.com =