FORESTVILLE: John “Jack” C. Dillenburg, III, 73, of Straight Road, Forestville, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, May 15th, in the Town of Sheridan. He was born in Dunkirk on March 21, 1939, the son of the late John C. and Wynona (Holdridge) Dillenburg, II.
Mr. Dillenburg was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1957 and in 1959, he graduated from State Ranger School, Wanakena, NY, an affiliate of the State School of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.
He served with the Army National Guard as a Sgt. from 1962-1968 where he earned the Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksmanship Badge w/Pistol Bar. Mr. Dillenburg served as Clerk of the Chautauqua County Legislature from 1998 to 2002 and also retired as an Industrial Pipe Fitter from the former Al-Tech Specialty Steel, Dunkirk. Mr. Dillenburg was a former Trustee & Mayor of the Village of Forestville, which is when the tennis & basketball courts were installed, was an Exempt Member & Past President of the Forestville Fire Department, served for 6 years as District Coordinator for former State Assemblyman Rolland Kidder, was former Chairman of the Chautauqua County Democratic Party, former NYS Democratic Committee Person, former Democratic Person of the Year, served in the Chautauqua County Legislature from 1980-1987, where he served on the Finance Committee for 5 years, Chairman of Public Works for 5 out of the 6 years on the committee, Agriculture and Community Development for 2 years, member of Region 9 Forest Practice Board and State Representative, member of the NYS Ranger School Alumni Association, former Supervisor for Town of Arkwright from 1992-2003, former Coach of Forestville Girls Babe Ruth League in the late 1970’s through early 1980’s and was a member of the American Chestnut Association. He was a very giving person and always was willing to give political advice. Mr. Dillenburg enjoyed hunting, fishing, especially chartered fishing, casinos and scratch off lottery tickets.
Survivors include his wife Carol (Dillenkofer) Dillenburg of Forestville, a daughter, Amy Farnham, of Forestville and a granddaughter Maeghan Farnham. Also surviving are several nieces & nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a sister Carole McCune.
Friends are welcome to call at the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm, from where Memorial Services will be held Saturday morning at 11 o’clock.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made either to the Forestville Fire Dept. Emergency & Rescue Squad, Chestnut Street, Forestville, NY 14062 or to Sheridan Fire Dept., PO Box 122 Sheridan, NY 14135. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com
8 Comments
Sheila Meck Hyde
Jack was a special person to our entire family. He was always there to help and his help was always remembered and appreciated. Jack was also a pleasure to know and we all have happy memories of him. Our sympathy and hearts go out to Carol and his family. His accomplishments were too many to count. He will never be forgotten.
Norm Green
Everything I am today is because of Jack. Truly…we in the Democratic Party owe so much to him. I am glad to have been able to call Jack my close friend, trusted confidant and the best ally. My deepest condolences to Carol, Amy and the family.
Norm Green
Barry & Lynn Bedford
Carol and family — Please accept our sincere condolences in the loss of “Jack”. We enjoyed knowing him. May God be with you and yours in this and future times. Barry & Lynn
tomherring
Carol and Family,We were so sorry to hear about Jack. Please accept our condolences and my God bless you all.Tom and Karen
Joseph Gerace
May 15, 2012
Farewell, dear John “Jack”:
So very special, strong and warm and are the wonderful memories we have of you. Treasured memories of you are alive in our minds and hearts and especially in the hearts of your wonderful wife Carol, your daughter Amy and granddaughter Maeghan. You taught Amy and all the people with whom you worked in and out of government to reach for the moon and the stars as you always did in everything you undertook — and you found your shining star when you married Carol. You and Carol have always been there for your family and friends in so many special ways.
You always had an unforgettable presence, a caring and a giant size generous heart, a razor sharp wit and a wonderful sense of humor. You had an overwhelming curiosity for learning all that was worth knowing. You had unmatched zest and energy for living. You truly savored your time on this earth to the fullest. Jack, you inspired us; you humored us; you tolerated us; you challenged us; you set an example for us as human beings.
We have such precious memories of you; memories of you as a devoted and supportive husband; a loving and caring father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, educator, administrator, environmentalist, an outstanding public servant, and warm friend.
You believed in and lived for service to people whether you were in public office or not. How well l remember the many times you called me on the phone or came into my office seeking help for folks who had come to you for help with their problems and issues involving county or state government.
Jack, to describe your many accomplishments and do justice to your life would require a book. Forestville Mayor, district coordinator for Assemblyman Rollie Kidder, chair of the Democratic Party, State Democratic Committeeman, county legislator, Supervisor for the Town of Arkwright, coach of Forestville Girls Babe Ruth team, just to name a few.
Jack, I don’t think you spent a day of your adult life without finding ways to serve people without any expectation of reward or return of favor.
You weren’t satisfied with sitting around complaining about government. You set an example for all citizens by getting involved in politics. And, after you were elected, you weren’t satisfied in going along just to get along, you took on controversial challenges as you led the way to responsible and responsive village, town, county and state government. You literally were an ombudsman for anyone who had a problem with government or government officials.
Jack, in your governmental and political life you have in positive and meaningful ways touched the lives of the 135,000 people who live here now and the lives of those who will live here for the next fifty years. Few people can ever leave such a legacy.
Jack, you lived a large life because you what you accomplished and what you stood for.
Now, you have left for greener pastures; a spiritual place where together with Ted Smith, Fred Cusimano, Chet Tarnowski, Jane Fagerstrom and Bill Skinner, you will inspire, cajole and rattle the cages of the angels and other legislators who have passed on before as you did to and for the rest of us here on earth.
Jack, as we think of your passing, the words of Adlai Stevenson in his eulogy for a friend seems appropriate:
“I think it will always be April in our memory of him. It will always be a bright, fresh day full of the infinite vanity and the promise of new life. Perhaps nothing has gone at all. Perhaps only the embodiment of the thing tender, precious to us all – a friendship that is immortal and doesn’t pass along. It will always be revived for me as I know for each of you each spring.”
Someone wrote a beautiful thought on the death of Robert Kennedy that expresses our feelings about you:
“And when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship of the garish sun.”
Good-bye, Jack. We feel a thousand times richer because you crossed the paths of our lives, but, God knows, we shall miss you.
As the Poet Wordsworth wrote after the death of his six year old son: you are now like the wind; we cannot see you….but we will always feel you.
Life will not be the same without you. Farewell, noble knight – until we meet again.
Your friend,
Joe
LaVerne & Marsha Hall
Dear Carol and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the death of JACK. A friend that only needed a handshake to seal an agreement. If there were only more of his kind.
LaVerne & Marsha
Imam Fadeel
To Amy Farnham and family,
Please accept my sympathy and condolences in this sad moment to you and your family. May God shower his mercy upon the soul of your father and give you patience and strength.
Carmen a oliver
Dear Carol & family
My deepest sympathy during this sad time. Jack was a great friend, many good memories. But now he’s in a peaceful place with his angel wings.
May you find peace , looking back through all the years you have shared together.
Sincerely
Carmen Oliver