Obituary of John Michael M. Rockwell

ST. JOHNSVILLE – On Thursday morning, December 7, 2017, John M. Rockwell peacefully went to sleep with the angels above to join his family and friends in heaven.

John was born on October 24, 1970 in Little Falls, New York, to his loving parents Hazel Balderston and Douglas Rockwell. John attended Dolgeville and St. Johnsville schools. He worked as a sheet rocker for several years for different contractors in the area. John resided with a special friend on Sanders Street in St. Johnsville, NY.

John enjoyed camping, going to his dad’s camp on the St. Lawrence, watching NASCAR as well as watching the races at Watkins Glen and watching football. John was a Buffalo Bills fan until he decided to switch his team to the Chargers. John also enjoyed going to family gatherings to see family, and he also enjoyed hanging with friends and spending time with his granddaughter, Addison.

John was blessed to have a daughter, Raya Rockwell and grandson Maalik Belcher both of North Carolina and he was formerly married to Michele Tennant also of North Carolina.

John was also blessed with a loving relationship with his soulmate and life partner Deborah Countryman from St. Johnsville for 16 years. They raised 3 daughters together. Mandy, Michele, and Ashley (Shaut) Countryman and a granddaughter Addison Shaut all from St. Johnsville.

John is survived by his parents; Hazel and Jim Buss of Johnstown and Douglas and Donna Rockwell of Salisbury, New York and step-mother Barbara Burkett of Ilion. He is also survived by Grandparents; Marilyn (Balderston) Trask of Herkimer and Herbert Rockwell of Ilion.

John is also survived by his loving siblings; Beth Rockwell (Jonathan Wright) of St. Johnsville, Mary and Mickey Haver of Pawlett, Vermont, Douglas Rockwell (Bobbi Jo Sheppard) of Dolgeville, Julie Rockwell of Johnstown, Tabitha and Brittany Rockwell of Dolgeville, Travis (Laiken) Rockwell of Ilion, James Buss of Vermont, Robert Santmyer of Pennsylvania and Chad Santmyer of Dolgeville and step-brothers, William Jewett of Little Falls and Michael Smith of Herkimer.

John was a proud Uncle to his nieces and nephews; Joshua Dager (Tabitha Thompson) of Palatine Bridge, Danielle Dager (Nicholas Erkson) of St. Johnsville, Jonathan Wright, Jr. of St. Johnsville, Crystal Wright (Emiliah Taylor) of St. Johnsville, Mathew Wright, Jr. of Vermont, Dylan Rockwell of Dolgeville, Alisha (Austin) Hogan of Johnstown, Sharon Rockwell (Jon Jimenez) of New Hartford, Kaylyn Rockwell of Dolgeville, Abigail and Cristin Rotondo of Saratoga and Michael Lezzette, Jr. of Glenville.

John also has great-nieces and nephews that he was blessed to have in his life; Kaylie Ann, Melladie, and Izaiah Dager of Palatine Bridge, Sabastian Erkson of St. Johnsville, Braiden and Cheyanne Wall of Fort Plain, Leighton Hogan of St. Johnsville, and Daniel, Jon, and Liam Jimenez of New Hartford.

John also had many great friends which he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with and some that have already passed on and he will be joining in the afterlife in heaven.

John has brothers-in-law; Mathew Wright, Sr. of Dolgeville, Chris Rotondo of Saratoga, Randy Dager of Little Falls and Michael Lezzette, Sr. of Glens Falls that also survive.

John and his family want to say a special thank you to his longtime loyal neighbor and friend TJ Crosier (Lisa) for his special friendship, loyalty and his generosity of offering his home to him in his time of need. It meant a lot to John to have such a loyal friend in TJ.

John’s passing now leaves an emptiness in our hearts and will forever be missed. We will always hold the wonderful memories and our love for him close in our hearts as he joins the other angels above. We love you; Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend; until we join you in heaven. We know you will be taken care of by all the angels already there.

Family and friends are invited to honor John’s life and memory on Saturday December 16, 2017 at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street in St. Johnsville, New York (518) 568-2300 from 3PM until 6 PM with a service to follow at 6:00 PM with Pastor David A. Johnson officiating at the funeral home. The family would then like to invite family and friends to join them in a celebration of John’s life immediately following the service at the St. Johnsville American Legion, 38 West Main Street, St. Johnsville.  The family would welcome anyone who would like to contribute food for the celebration and it can be dropped off any time after 4:00 PM on Saturday at the St. Johnsville American Legion.