| Date of Birth | November 11, 1948 |
| Passed Away | October 17, 2012 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | October 20, 2012 |
| Service Time | 2 p.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. |
JOHN E. RIXFORD
HOWARD – John E. Rixford, 63, passed away Wednesday (October 17, 2012), at the rural residence of his brother, Marc in Howard, NY.
He was born November 11, 1948 in Hornell, NY to Thomas Rixford & Carolyn Doorley.
He attended schools in Canisteo, Hawaii & graduated from Hornell High School in 1966 and attended Syracuse University. John was a great lover of movies (owned several thousand), as well as animals, especially dogs. In the past, he was also an avid backpack hiker, with the Adirondacks being his favorite place to spend time camping with his dogs.
John was also a huge Syracuse University sports fan.
John had been employed with St Josephs Hospital in Syracuse for 32 years as a Master Electrician until recently.
He was predeceased by his father Tom Rixford, grandparents, Aunts & Uncle.
John is survived by his beloved “furkids” Judy & Buddy, his mother Carolyn (Joseph) Ahearn of Bath, brothers David (Pam) Rixford of Alvarado,TX and Marc (Margie) Rixford of Howard NY, niece Angela (Scott) Jergler, & nephews, Kyle Rixford, Tom Rixford and Michael Rixford, and great nieces Emily & Taylor Jergler.
Step-brothers Joe (Lisa) Ahearn of Austin, TX, David (Minako) Ahearn of Atlanta GA , Steven (Val) Ahearn of Waxhaw, NC and their families. Many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends in Syracuse NY.
Calling hours are from Noon-2 p.m. Saturday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will be held in his memory following the callings hours at 2 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CareFirst Hospice (formerly Southern Tier Hospice), 11751 East Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home) or to your favorite Humane Society.
Our Prayers and thoughts go out to John’s Family. It must have been very comforting for John to be at his brother’s home with his dogs, at this time. God Bless.
thinking of you Marc and Margie and family…so very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you all during this sad time.
To the Rixford family: My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I hope that John is wrong and I am right, so that I may see him again in “the blink of an eye” with all of his dogs, and happy. John is the best friend I’ve ever had, and I will love him always. He made a huge impact on our lives and I will forever think of him with joy and happy memories of him in my heart. My love goes to all of you, especially Marc and Margie, and Angela and Kyle.
I worked with John in the Electric Shop at St. Joseph’s Hospital for about twelve years. Some of my favorite memories of John are us repeating some of the funniest lines from movies, everything from Monty Python to Dr.Strangelove. I will also always remember John because when I needed someone to cover a weekend or day when my son played sports, John would always volunteer to work for me so I could see my son play. Everyone in the shop will miss you John, Rest in Peace.
I am Kelly Clancy Spencer, daughter of Fran and Lucile Clancy. I remember John from our family Doorley Reunions. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I send my hugs and prayers to Carolyn and Joe and Mark and Margie and family… I too am a dog lover so can relate to Johns love of furry friends.
John was a happy friendly man, he will be missed
To John’s family my thoughts and prayers are with you. I met john many years ago as one of his nurses at St. James after a horrible car accident. He became a good friend and we had many great laughs and good times while he was in the Hornell area. He always had a special place in my heart. RIP John.