Obituary of John L. Stoddard

John Stoddard of Canandaigua, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, at the age of 76 after a short battle with liver cancer and Lewy Body Dementia. Per his request, he passed while at home surrounded by several of his loved ones. John is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Shirley (Schutt), daughters Patricia (Christopher) Burke of Phelps, Denise Hood (Frank Mueller), and Jodie Lasky (Dann Messervey Jr), son Jeffrey of Canandaigua, grandchildren Brittany (Kyle) Rayburn, Maxwell Burke (Ada), Garrett Burke (Brittany), Juniper Lasky, James Lasky, Eve Hood, Eli Hood, Brittany Kleiman, and Nathan Hood, several greatgrandchildren, brothers David (Jeanne) Stoddard of Colorado, Phillip (Barbara) Brizzee of Florida, Rick (Lori) Stoddard of Phelps, and Jack (Sharon) Stoddard of Phelps, sisters Barbara (Ronald) Buxton of Colorado and Gail Travis of Corning, several nieces and nephews, sons-in-law Joe Lasky and William Hood Jr, thousands of friends, as well as extended family and other "adopted" family members. John is predeceased by his mother Doris Youngs, father Leonard Stoddard, and step-mother Mary Stoddard. John was a 1965 graduate of Clifton Springs High School before immediately attending Freeman's Business School. He later received an Associates in Business Administration from Finger Lakes Community College. John worked in the accounting department for American National Can in Fairport before changing careers to work as the Textbook Manager of the bookstore at FLCC. Prior to his retirement, he enjoyed working in the Wegmans produce department. His retirement was spent helping his wife care for their grandchildren and babysitting for a few of the other "adopted" grandchildren", as well as driving "Grandpa's Uber" for the elder grandchildren. This was probably his favorite and most rewarding job. John was very community service oriented and volunteered his time to several organizations, including, but not limited to: Hopewell Grange (70+ years), Hopewell Historical Society, Chapman Cemetery Committee, Red Jacket Rotary, and Chapin United Methodist Church (57 years). Music was always a big part of John's life. He sang in groups, such as the Finger Lakes Chorale and the Lincoln Hill Singers. He spent several years of his life performing in musicals with the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre, PYTCO, and the Geneva Theatre Guild. In the 1980's he served as one of the founding members of Canandaigua's Alumni Band, as well as Band Booster Co-President for Canandaigua Academy's Marching Band with his wife. John spent several summers and winters as support staff for the Rochester Patriots Drum and Bugle Corps and Winterguard. In his later years, John loved to attend concerts and musicals that his younger grandchildren participated in, noting that the last concerts were watched via CA's YouTube channel from his home. He was so very proud of his children and grandchildren, and never gave up a moment to let them know. There is no doubt he will have a front row seat to all of their concerts that have yet to come, beaming with joy and with a tear in his eye. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ontario-Yates Hospice, Sands Cancer Center, Chapin United Methodist Church, any of John's other beloved organizations, or to a charity of your choosing. Services will be held at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo St, Canandaigua, NY on Saturday, February 17th from 1-3pm with the memorial service immediately following. To share a memory or express condolences online please visit www.fullerfh.com