John L. Blodgett

John L. "Jack" Blodgett

Newark " Jack Blodgett, 68, died Thursday (April 20, 2006) at his home.

Friends may call from 3-6 P.M. on Sunday (April 23rd) at the Paul L. Murphy & Sons Funeral Home, 127 East Miller Street, Newark. Funeral services will be at 11 AM., on Monday (April 24thst) at the Park Presbyterian Church, Maple Court, Newark with the Rev. Deborah Grohman officiating. Burial will be in East Newark Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to Park Presbyterian Church, Maple Court, Newark, New York 14513 or to the Via Health of Wayne Foundation, PO 571, Newark, New York 14513.

Mr. Blodgett was born on March 9, 1938, in Auburn, New York the son of Loyal and Helen Kemp Blodgett. He was a graduate of East High School in Auburn the Class of 1956 and Princeton University in 1960. Jack married his long time friend Lynn MacKay on June 25, 1960. He entered the field of retailing, working for Bonwit Teller's in New York City and Chicago and Petrie Department Store in New York City. Later, he moved to the Rochester area where he worked for Sibley's. Taking an opportunity when it arose in the life insurance and financial planning field, he came to Newark in 1971, joining the existing agency for Connecticut Mutual Life, now Mass Mutual. He took the agency over shortly thereafter. Jack had earned his CLU, ChFC and MSFS and was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. His leadership benefited many in both the financial planning and in the community. As a member of the Park Presbyterian Church, Jack had served as an Elder, a trustee, and a faithful choir member. He joined the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Board and had served as the Board President. Jack was one of the seven founding members of the Hospital's Foundation in 1988, now Via Health of Wayne Foundation and has continued to serve as a officer of that Board ever since. He was chairman of the Board of the Finger Lakes Area Hospitals Corporation. Jack was a member of the Newark Rotary Club, was elected President for 1979-1980 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 1996. He was active in the Newark Community Chest and helped in the transition to bring the United Way to Wayne County and served as the president. He also had been a member of the Newark Chamber of Commerce and the Newark Country Club.

Jack is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynn, three sons John, Jr. (Sue) of Claredon Hills, Il., Stuart (Julie) of Newark and Bruce (Jackie) of Auburn; seven grandchildren James, Jenna, Stuart, Jr., Jillian, Eric, Emma and Alex; a brother Richard (Ruth) Blodgett of Hanover, NH, three nieces and a nephew.

He was predeceased by his father Loyal Blodgett in 1941, stepfather Harold Dewey in 1952 and his mother Helen Blodgett Dewey in 1985.