JOHN F. McPEAK

John F. McPeak, a lifelong resident of Solvay, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23rd. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Beverly Jean (Jensen) McPeak, of Solvay; son, Patrick McPeak and wife Melissa McPeak, of Camillus; grandsons, Colin and Seamus McPeak, of Camillus; brother, David McPeak and wife Barbara McPeak, of Syracuse; and a substantial number of extended family members who loved and respected him for his kindness, selflessness, and generosity. John was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Margaret (McKeon) McPeak; and his beloved son, Sean McPeak. In his final days, he expressed to his family that he was excited to be reunited with his parents and his son; and while his loved ones left behind are deeply saddened by this loss, they are comforted to know that John is in a special place with special people where illnesses and suffering do not exist. John lived a long life of honor and service. He graduated from Solvay High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from Le Moyne College and a Master of Science Degree in Business Education from Syracuse University. He served our nation in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966 while stationed at Fort Eisenhower (f/k/a Fort Gordon) near Augusta, GA, and then as an Active-Duty Reservist in Syracuse. Professionally, John worked as an accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick before serving the Village of Solvay as its Comptroller for approximately 17 years. He then joined Geddes Federal Savings and Loan Association as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position he proudly and skillfully held for over 20 years until his well-deserved retirement in 2015. As a man who not only believed in giving back to his community but did so with passion, John again showed dedication to the Village of Solvay as Trustee and Deputy Mayor for 8 years. Beyond this, he was President of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State, Chairman of the Board for the Solvay/Geddes Community Youth Center, and Liaison to the Solvay Public Library Board of Trustees. For many decades, John also spent a few months out of the year preparing tax returns for friends, family, and local businesses. If a client had fallen on hard times and was unable to pay full rate, it was not uncommon for John to do the work for free. This is the kind of man he was. John was brilliant, but not cocky. He never complained - ever. He took life’s struggles and handled them with grace, dignity, and calm. He was passionate about politics, often alternating between MSNBC and Fox News to ensure he was getting the whole story from both sides. He was a rabid fan of the New York Yankees and, by his own admission, a fair-weather fan of Syracuse University athletics. He loved history, traveling the world, candy, beer, puzzles, European soccer and his chair at home. But most of all, he had an unwavering and passionate love for his family. His family meant everything to him, and he leaves behind a blueprint for future generations to learn how to be a great man, son, husband, father, and grandfather. His was indeed a life well-lived. Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wednesday May 1, 2024 at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Avenue. John will privately be put to rest with Military Honors in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Warners. Flowers are welcomed and his family asks that if considering contributions, they be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Syracuse in the name of Sean P. McPeak at NAMI Syracuse, 917 Avery Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13204 or online at namisyracuse.org/donate/. BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, Solvay, NY, has care of arrangements. Please share online tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

JOHN F. McPEAK

November 23, 1940 - April 23, 2024