Mr. John D. Dwyer, age 69, of Potsdam, passed away on Sunday, January 09, 2011 at the Maplewood Campus in Canton. Friends may call on Thursday at the Garner Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam with Msgr. Robert Aucoin, Msgr. Harry Snow and Rev. Donald Manfred con-celebrating.

Burial will take place in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery . In lieu of flowers contributions in John’s memory can be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley, the Potsdam Elks Lodge or to the Maplewood Campus in Canton. Online condolences can be sent at www.garnerfh.com.

Mr. Dwyer is survived by a sister, Sharron (Glenn) Francis of Marietta; his aunt, Helen Gaffney of Norwood; and one niece, two nephews, two great nieces, one great nephew and several cousins.

John D. Dwyer was born on November 16, 1941 in Potsdam, the son of the late Donald J. Dwyer and Lucy K. O’Hara. He was a 1959 graduate of Potsdam Central High School and earned his BA from Clarkson College of Technology in 1963. He worked at Curtis Motors and then worked in the accounting department at General Motors in Massena, NY until his retirement in 1986. After his retirement, John spent most of his time at his cousin’s farm in Gouverneur. He was also a substitute rural carrier for the United States Post Office.

John was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam, St. Andrew’s Church in Norwood and the Potsdam Elks Lodge. He was noted for being the longest consecutive bowler in Potsdam. John also was part owner of the Trail End Hunting Club since 1965 and a member of the Sampson Pond Hunting Club through 2006.