Obituary of John McBride Utley

John McBride Utley, 81, of Kinderhook NY passed away on Saturday July 6, 2024 at his home in Kinderhook, NY. John was born on Christmas day, 1942, in Hudson to Samuel and Luciel (Johnson) Utley. He was known for his speed and athleticism at Ichabod Crane and graduated from there to go on to Farmingdale State College where he earned his associate in applied science for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology. He then worked at GE for two years. He bought a brand-new red Sting Ray corvette and drove it across the country to San Luis Obispo and then sold it to pay for his tuition at California Polytechnic Institute. He graduated as an engineer in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. Upon graduation he worked for American Air Filter (AAF International) in St. Louis, Missouri for a number of years before joining Porg Warner, Johnson Controls, in York, PA. While in York, John joined York Barbell and trained as a weightlifter with many Olympic athletes. He was very close to being selected as a US Olympic competitor in the clean and jerk. John returned to Kinderhook to help care for his mother and worked in construction and remodeling for many years in Kinderhook and the surrounding areas. His skill and pride in hanging and taping sheetrock was well known and he worked on many detailed, complex, and difficult older home restorations. He was a perfectionist and would often sheetrock or tape for friends and family so that it was done correctly. John was a member of the Kinderhook Elks Lodge 2530 for decades and always worked the Sunday breakfasts and directed cars for parking at the Columbia County Fair each year. John loved music – classic rock from the 50s and 60s and country music; animals of all shapes and sizes, especially Rottweilers and just about any cat he could get his hands on; restoring and showing o?? his Edsels; listening to Yankee and Phillies games on the radio; and cruises to just about anywhere. John McBride Utley is survived by his sister, Judith (the Rev. LeRoy Suess) Utley-Suess, of Glenmont NY, niece Laura (Edward) McCullen of Melrose, NY and her children Kimberly Salvati (Leyton Spencer) of Stamford, CT, Natalie Salvati of Brooklyn, NY, and Sam Salvati of Melrose NY as well as many beloved cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Columbia Green Humane Society at 111 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Kinderhook Elks Lodge 2530 and to all the friends and family who took time to call, visit and catch up with John these past few years. Calling hours will be held at 10:00am on Friday July 12 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home 1015 Kinderhook St, Valatie with service by the Rev. Donald Rutherford at 12:00pm. Burial will follow at Kinderhook Cemetery, 2 Kindertree Dr., Kinderhook. After interment, a reception will be held at the Elk's Club from 2-4p