John M. Vernooy

 John M. Vernooy, born October 14, 1952, passed away on August 18, 2023 at Garnet Medical Center following a brief illness.

John was born in Middletown, New York to Mary Deubler Vernooy and the late Carlton Vernooy. He graduated from Goshen Central High School in 1970 and Orange County Community College in 1972 with a degree in Electronic Technology.

As a natural repairman, John had a keen eye for detail and an interest in learning “how” and “why,” and his home-built speakers could make recordings come alive. For forty-two years, John used his mechanical expertise and people skills to ensure everyone he interacted with knew he was a fair and honest salesman when he was employed as a bicycle mechanic at Bob Lounsbury Sporting Goods.

On a blind date, he met Sandra Whiteman, who would become his wife. After a whirlwind courtship, they married November 10, 1985. They were blessed with two children, Sarah and Michael.

Raised with a deep belief in God, John felt called to ministry, and he graduated with a theology degree from the Adult Degree Program through Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, MA. Independent of a formal pastoral position, John ministered to everyone he met, sharing his knowledge with anyone who inquired.

John is survived by his mother, Mary D. Vernooy; his wife, Sandra L. Vernooy; his daughter Sarah and her husband Rich Walter; his son Michael Vernooy; his brother Richard Vernooy and his wife Grace; and nephews Douglas and Daniel Vernooy.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home at 26 Grove St., Middletown, NY. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 1 PM before the service. Pastor Steven Offringa will officiate. Interment will follow in the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburg, NY. In lieu of flowers, due to allergies the family requests donations be made to a local humane society in John's honor.

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