Jon G. "Jack" Lakins

Mr. Jon G. “Jack” Lakins, age 69, of Lakeland, Florida and formerly of Utica, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Lakeland Regional Memorial Hospital. Jack was born in Potsdam, New York on August 12, 1942, the son of the late Garnet and Lillian (LaRue) Lakins. He graduated from Potsdam Central School in 1961 and attended Canton ATC. On February 8, 1964 he married his high school sweetheart, the former Kathleen Dwyer, with whom he shared 48 loving years. Jack was employed by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for 31 years. Upon retirement at the age of 52, he worked for the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department for 2 years. He and his wife moved to Florida in 1996 where he worked part-time for Publix Security for 2 years. Jack was very active in the Potsdam Junior Hockey Association where he served as President, and the Northern NY Referee Association. He refereed in the ECAC hockey league, was an off-ice official at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, and coached hockey for many years, touching the lives of many players and families. He was elected to the Potsdam Central School Hall of Fame as a member of the 1959 hockey team. He also coached Little League baseball for years. Jack enjoyed attending and watching sporting events including countless NHL/NFL/MLB games, and playing potbelly hockey with Old Timers, slow pitch/fast pitch softball, and senior softball in Florida. He was an avid New York Yankees fan. Jack loved spending quality time with his grandchildren and attending all of their sporting events. He always had a wonderful sense of humor, and his smile lit up every room. He was a true inspiration to many. His civic affiliations included membership in the Potsdam Elks Lodge where he served as the exalted ruler for 2 years, and the Masons/Shriners of Tampa. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jaycees. Jack is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his son, Steven Lakins and fiancée Carol Juliano of FL; his daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Scott Carman of NY Mills; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Lakins of FL; and his grandchildren, Steven Lakins Jr., Brandon Lakins, Kaitlyn Carman, and Kaileigh Carman. He also leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Walter McLennan of Potsdam; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Karen Elizabeth Lakins; his father-in-law, Donald Dwyer; and his sister, Ann Sawyer. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the American Heart Association; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Additonal services will be held at the Garner Funeral Home, 10 Lawrence St., in Potsdam, NY with visitation on Sunday from 2:00-5:00. Jack’s Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday at 11:30 at the funeral home with the Rev. Christopher Brown officiating. Interment will take place in Bayside Cemetery in Potsdam.

Jon G. "Jack" Lakins

August 12, 1942 - March 17, 2012