Obituary of John Oliver, III

JOHN OLIVER III, Fort Myers, FL/Canton, NY — JOHN OLIVER III died peacefully on April 16, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife Beverly, son John IV and daughter Amy, at home in Fort Myers at the age of 88. Born on September 8, 1927 in Mount Holly, NJ, John grew up in Canton, NY, where his father, John Oliver, Jr., well-known as “Coach” was an inspiration for youth athletics in the North Country, and his mother, Dorothy Watson Oliver, was active in the community. John attended Canton public schools before joining the Navy in WW II. In 1950 he graduated from St. Lawrence University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and occasionally worked at the Tick Tock. He graduated from Cornell Law School in 1953. On April 24, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church he married Beverly Thompson, whose parents owned The Eskimo restaurant in Canton. John established the Oliver Law Firm in Canton. He served as a judge of the town and village courts in Canton and was a former president of the New York State Association of Magistrates. Known in the North Country as “Judge Oliver”, he was a well-respected community leader and served on the board of directors of the Canton Savings and Loan, and Canton-Potsdam Hospital. He taught Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Stillwater Hunting and Fishing Club, The St. Lawrence Masonic Lodge #111 F. & A.M., and was a president of The Lions Club. John enjoyed summers with his family on the St. Lawrence River, boating, water skiing and fishing. He was a licensed pilot and certified scuba diver. Retired in Florida with Beverly, John continued to serve his community and relaxed by boating and fishing in The Gulf. John scored a Hole in One at Gateway Golf and Country Club 1998. John and Beverly traveled extensively, visiting six continents. John is predeceased by his sister, Rebecca Oliver Bowman (SLU’52). He is survived by his spouse, Beverly; his son and daughter in law, John Oliver IV (SLU ’79) and Deidre of Niwot, CO and their daughters, Alexandra, Taylor, Lauren and spouse Andy Carlson and their two sons Ryan and Jake; his daughter and son in law, Amy Oliver Wesson (SLU ’80) and Fred of West Bath, Maine, and their sons, Thomas, Winsor and Daniel. Friends are welcome to join John’s Mount Holly and Canton family on Friday, June 17 at 3PM at the Evergreen Cemetery to host a celebration of the life of John Oliver III. The Reverend Michael Catanzaro will officiate. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org ____________________________________________________________