John J. ''Jack"' Penree

Otter Lake - John J. (Jack) Penree, 72, formerly of State Route 28, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. A native of Utica, Jack was born on April 20, 1937 to George Melvin and Ellen Byrnes Penree. He grew up in Utica and graduated from the former Utica Free Academy. Mr. Penree served as a firefighter for the City of Utica Fire Department from 1957 until his retirement in 1977. During that time he was also employed as an ice cream deliveryman for the Pride of Utica Ice Cream Company. For several years Jack was a partner with his brother-in-law, Guy E. Horton in the operation of the Horton family's "Four Seasons Restaurant" in Otter Lake. He later drove bus for the City of Cortland school system, and also drove bus during the fourteen years that he lived in Zephyr Hills, FL. He moved to Otter Lake in 2005 and made his home with his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia H. and Guy E. Horton. He moved to Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Boonville in 2008. Mr. Penree was a member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church in Otter Lake, and an honorary member of the Otter Lake Fire Department. For several years he was active in training the members of the Otter Lake Fire Department in equipment operation. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, playing the organ, and hunting with his brother-in-law, Guy. In addition to his sister, Patricia, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and a very special niece, Nancy Horton, whom he dearly loved and cherished,. Jack was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Guy, whom he loved as a brother, on February 26, 2006, and by a niece and her husband, Phyllis M. and Michael Hiscox. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, where the Reverend Donald H. Karlen, pastor, will officiate. Calling hours are Tuesday 4-7 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the committal services for Jack and his niece, Phyllis, who passed away on January 13, 2009, on Thursday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. in Woodgate Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Otter Lake Fire Department or to Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Resident Activities Fund, 232 Academy Street, Boonville, NY 13309.