John Patrick Fox, Jr.

John Patrick Fox, Jr., age 98 and a member of the Greatest Generation, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Corning, NY.

Dad was born in Roanoke, VA on June 28, 1925 to John P. and Catherine (Yeager) Fox. He grew up in Roanoke, VA, attended Nazareth Catholic school, and was the first in his family to attend college. Through the “War Work” program, Dad spent summers working at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in Williamsburg, VA while attending the College of William and Mary. He unloaded crates of dynamite from railcars- he said all the guys would tease each other “pretending” to drop them. World War II interrupted school and Dad served as a medical corpsman in the Navy (ironic considering he never learned to swim). He spent much of the war stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

After the war Dad returned to William and Mary and was a proud graduate of the class of 1950. William and Mary provided more than just an education, it was there that he met the love of his life, our Mom, Frances (“Sis”) Shoff. They married in 1951 and lived in Williamsburg where their oldest son, John Daniel was born. Dad worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as the Manager of the Visitors Center until he was recruited by Tom Beuchner to come work for (then) Corning Glass Works in 1954 at the recently opened Corning Glass Center. Starting as the Operations Manager, he was promoted to Director in 1963 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1987. It was in Corning that their second son, Steven and third son, Richard were born.

Dad proudly served on the Board of Trustees of the Corning Museum of Glass and still served as an emeritus trustee until his death. Following his retirement from (now) Corning, Inc., he served on the Congressional staff for Representative Amory Houghton working to promote tourism in Western New York State. He served as Vice Chairman of the Tourism committee of the Business Council of New York State as well as on the Executive Committee of the Mark Twain Arts Council. Dad was very active in the Corning community and civic affairs and was a big promoter of Corning. He was a proud member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and then All Saints Parish serving as both a lector and usher. He served on the Corning Intown Futures board and 37 years on the City’s Planning & Zoning Commission and will live on in a photo on the City of Corning’s “People Wall” in City Hall.

Dad was a longstanding member of the Barron Steuben Coffee Club and loved spending time talking about local issues and promoting tourism. He was an avid golfer and was an active member of Indian Hills Gold Club well into his eighties. He and Mom loved the beach and spent time each summer at Sandbridge Beach on the Virginia coast.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife of 64 Years Sis, and his brother Raymond Joseph Fox. He is survived by his three sons: Dan (Kim), Steve, and Rick (Owen) as well as four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who he cherished.

The family is forever grateful for the care and attention provided by Dr. Michael Cilip and Dad’s physical therapist Cassie ​Abernatha.

Acly-Stover Funeral Home in Corning is handling arrangements. The family will greet friends on Tuesday (March 26th) from 4-6 PM and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (March 27th) at 3:30 PM at All Saints Parish (St. Mary’s) in Corning. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to All Saints Parish or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

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