John B. LaBuff

John Baxter LaBuff, 96, of Geneva, passed away May 29th at his home. As per his wishes, there will be no prior calling hours. A private interment will be held at Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery for John and his wife, Jean, who passed away in 2020 at the convenience of the family. Kindly consider a donation in memory of John to the House of John, 14 Spring Street, Clifton Springs, NY 14432.

John was born September 6, 1929, to Jesse Baxter and Anita Belle LaBuff, the youngest of five children. He had three sisters (Iris Smith, Anita Bachman, and Jean Barton) and one brother (Hugh LaBuff).

John graduated from Geneva High School. In October 1946, he enlisted in the US Army (6th Infantry Division), serving in Korea. In 1948, John joined the NY National Guard, and in 1968, he transferred to the Army Reserves, retiring in 1984 as a full colonel.

On June 28, 1952, John married Jean J. Fisher at St. Michael's Church in Newark, NY. They have three children: daughter Susan T. (David) Freer of Geneva, and sons Jeffrey B. (Margo Smith) of Tampa, FL, and Scott J. of Mt. Dora, FL.

John worked for the NY State Electric and Gas Corporation for 37 years. He retired as a Chief of Utility Construction and Maintenance Person. After retiring from NYSEG, John was an active volunteer at the Linden Exchange, the American Legion Geneva Winnek Post, and Geneva General Hospital, where he enjoyed stopping in to see the patients he knew with a smile and words of encouragement. He especially enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends while keeping close count of his putts.

John and Jean were snowbirds for 25 years, enjoying their winters in Hudson, FL, and summers in Geneva. One of their favorite pastimes was frequenting the many thrift shops on the west coast of Florida. They also traveled around the country visiting California, Nevada, and much of the East Coast, where they toured many Civil War sites.

On September 30, 2017, John, accompanied by his son Scott, was part of the Honor Flight, Mission 10, that traveled to Washington, DC, with other upstate NY veterans. A trip that would always be cherished as a highlight in his life.

In his later years, John's favorite guilty pleasures were a weekly breakfast at the Blue Ribbon of a half eggs Benedict with home fries and onions and his massages with Shawn Marie to keep his old muscles going!

John was predeceased by his wife, parents, and siblings, and is survived by his children and their spouses and caring friends, Gary and Kathy Breese.