In Memory of John L. Warner

Obituary

John L. Warner, age 78, of Whitesboro, NY died on July 5th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 3, 1946, the son of the late Frances Lennon Warner and John Sullivan Warner.

In his youth, John worked at his parents’ grocery store and spent much of his free time cavorting with friends on nearby lakes, often getting into just a tiny bit of trouble. After attending Mohawk Valley Community College, he spent two years in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He considered a life in the priesthood, and spent a year in seminary school. Thankfully, he reconsidered and he met Carol in the summer of 1972, on a meet-up that was arranged by the Cashman and Lennon family, whom Carol had worked for as their nanny.

They married at Our Lady of Peace in Edison, New Jersey on June 30, 1974, and welcomed Laura into their lives a few years later, while living in their first home on Matthews Ave. in Utica. Two years later, they moved into their house in Deerfield with 6-week old John Jr, and they raised their kids there, alongside great neighbors on a street where kids could roam freely, play kickball and ride their bikes. John was a loving and caring father, and always involved in his community, volunteering to coach his kids’ sports teams, being a member of the School Board of Whitesboro Central School District and participating in Kiwanis. He was an avid spectator at all his children’s and grandchildren’s many activities. John worked for over 50 years as a gemologist and a salesperson for Lennons’s-W.B. Wilcox Jewelers and was part-owner of The Goldmine Jewelers. Every person he associated with would tell you he was genuine and always treated every customer with respect.

Papa, as he was known by his family, loved spending time at his family camp in Old Forge. Being out on the boat and taking a slow ride around the lakes with his wife and dog was one of his favorite things to do. He would never turn down the opportunity to sit by the fire, be out on the boat or take his children, his grandchildren or even a random neighbor for tube rides. Known for his overwhelmingly good nature, we have not heard of someone who was not in awe of his kindness and dedication to others. We thank the countless people who have reached out to John to let him know how much he has impacted them.

Although he started traveling later in life, he enjoyed trips with his wife and friends to a variety of countries, but there wasn’t enough time to visit the many places he wanted to go! Some of his favorite places were Rome and Florence, Italy. He also enjoyed walks with his dogs (Elmo, Amila and now, Morgan), golfing with friends and family, puttering around the house, wood-working (making cutting boards and even cribs and beds for his grandchildren), fixing things for his kids, playing endless card games with his family and friends, weekly visits to Michael T’s for dinner and just generally being busy and outdoors. He loved downhill skiing with his kids and grandkids at McCauley Mountain, and tried to get out as much as possible in the winter. John even tried the flying trapeze and skydiving with his kids! He was up for any adventure.

John is survived by his devoted wife, Carol; his children, Laura Warner and her husband, John Bresnahan, of Lowell, MA, and John L. Warner, Jr. and his wife, Sara, of Marcy, NY; his sisters, Patricia Cahill and Karen Warner, and his beloved grandchildren, Isabel Conners, Simon Bresnahan, Joslyn Warner, Georgiana Bresnahan, Finnegan Warner and Maverick Warner; his nephew, Andrew Monaghan of Chicago, IL and his niece, Kate Monaghan of Herkimer, NY. He leaves behind many cousins, dear friends and former colleagues in the Whitesboro and Old Forge areas, along with good friends Dan and Joanie Freytag, Chuck and Linda Wysocki, and Jack and Linda Sprague.

John was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Barbara Monaghan and her husband, Wayne Monaghan, his brother-in-law, Peter Cahill and good friends, Bob Galliher and Michael DeBlois.

The family would like to thank his oncology team at Dr. Butala’s office, his team of Hospice care nurses, and especially our friend, Kathy Smyth, who helped him and his family through this trying time. He loved his family more than anything, and we love you and will miss you Dad/John/Papa! Save a place for us up there and give everyone a hug from us.

Calling hours will be on Monday, July 14th from 4-7pm at Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd, New Hartford, NY. Funeral services will be the next morning, July 15th, at 9:30am at St. Paul’s Church in Whitesboro.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest memorial gifts to: the Polar Bear Ski Club at McCauley Mountain Polar Bear Ski Club, PO Box 544 Old Forge, NY 13420; Stevens Swan Humane Society: https://www.anitas-sshs.org or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support innovations in lung cancer research: dana-farber.org/gift.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.