Obituary of John F. Waters

John Francis Waters, 95, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2023 with his family by his side.

Jack was born on September 12, 1927 in Rome, NY the oldest son of Clinton John Waters and Mary Burns Waters.  Jack grew up in Rome and attended Rome schools, graduating from St. Aloysius Academy (SAA) in 1944 at the age of sixteen.  Upon graduation Jack attended Clarkson University for one year before enlisting in the United States Army.  Jack served in the occupation of Japan from 1946-1947 in Battery B, 13^th Field Artillery Battalion, 24^th Infantry Division earning the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Japan Medal.  After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army he returned to Clarkson University and graduated with honor with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1950.  Upon graduation he was employed by General Electric Co., Utica, NY serving as an accounting department manager.  In addition Jack was an instructor for the General Electric Financial Executive Track Financial Management Program for many years.  Jack retired from General Electric in 1987. 

On May 5, 1953 Jack married Ruth Finnegan in St. Peter’s Church, Rome.  Together they raised four children.  Ruth passed away October 30, 2007.

Jack was a member of many community organizations.  He was a member of Teugega Country Club having served as the Senior League Treasurer and was a member of the Lake Delta Yacht Club having served as the Board Treasurer.  Jack was a past member of McConnellsville Golf Club, GE Ski Club and Knights of Columbus. 

Jack was a quiet, kind, and gracious man who truly lived his Catholic faith.  He was a communicant and founding member of St. Paul’s Church, Rome, NY where he served on the Parish Council Finance Committee and was a weekly usher. 

Jack loved the game of golf and was pleased to have had two holes-in-one at Teugega Country Club.  The first one was on hole number seven and the second one was on hole number fifteen.  He also witnessed a special hole-in-one by his grandson, David, playing together on Father’s Day.

For several years he enjoyed spending winters in Florida, both in Naples and Niceville.

Jack is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and R. Steven Reed, Sheila and Edward Rakowski, all of Rome, and one son and daughter-in-law, John and Karen Waters, of Clinton.  Also surviving are six grandsons, David Waters (Jennifer), Mark Waters (Alyssa), Timothy Waters (Erin), Russell Reed II, Ryan Reed and Edward Rakowski III; and two great grandsons, Jack Waters and Charlie Waters.  In addition he is survived by a sister, Dolores Waters Cornish.

He is preceded in death by a son, David Paul Waters, and two brothers, Donald James Waters and Robert Edward Waters.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, NY 13440.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023 at St. Paul’s Church.  Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2023.  Internment will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the St. Paul’s Memorial Fund, 1807 Bedford St., Rome, NY or a charity of one’s choice.   

You may view the obituary and post a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com.