John J Tuller, 69, of New Berlin, NY passed peacefully at home with his loving family and loyal puppies by his side.
John was born on November 15th, 1948 to Clyde and Rose Tuller of Hartwick, NY. He was a 1967 graduate of Cooperstown Central School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country as a Helicopter Air Crewman and mechanic from 1967-1971, serving 3 tours in Vietnam.
After the Navy he worked in the Carpenters’ Union and went to college. He was an industrial arts teacher at BOCES for one year before deciding that he would rather be an engineer. He met his wife Linda at the Hartwick Rod and Gun Club, a story their kids still giggle about today.
John and Linda were married in the United Methodist Church in New Berlin on August 7th, 1976.
John worked as a manufacturing engineer until his retirement in 2008 and was one of the first in the area to be trained in Kaizen, something that he could transform to help any situation.
He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and doing many activities with his kids as they were growing up. He volunteered at church and was a leader of 4-H wood working and electrical projects when the kids were younger. When they were older he enjoyed watching them play sports, be in plays, participate in FIRST, and show their calves and give speeches in many different organizations.
He spent much of his retirement helping his grown children by running errands and picking up parts for various equipment. He also learned the great joy of being a grandpa. He loved having the grandchildren and their friends over to swim in the pool. Often he would start a fire in the outdoor fire pit and roast hotdogs and marshmallows.
He will be greatly missed by his four-legged furry pals Tucker and Maggie. The two 4-year-old Cavachons were his first experience with lap dogs, and he loved how they would jump right up on the bed or couch and keep his feet warm or lick his face.
John is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Linda M. (Ainslie), his three children, Kristin & Rob Rumovicz, Matthew Tuller & Sheila, Mark & Amanda Tuller. He is also survived by grandchildren William and Nathan Rumovicz , Madelyn and Ella Tuller. He is also survived by devoted brother, Dennis Tuller and wife Linda A, Rochester, NY; little sister, Patricia Tuller and companion Jason Thorne, Davenport, NY; brother-in-law Larry Ainslie and wife Barbara, Hartwick, NY & brother-in-law Richard Twombly, Hebron, CT. He was Uncle John to Jeffrey Tuller, Michael Tuller & wife Jenni, Michelle Courtroul and husband Jamie, Jeffrey Ainslie and wife Aimee, Bradley Ainslie and wife Carol, Kate (Ainslie) Hitchcock and husband Dan, Thomas French and Sean Twombly. Special friends Drew, and Jillian Newby and children of Binghamton, NY and Ryan Newby and fiancée Shannon Shaw of Syracuse were like family for the past 20 years and spent many holidays with John as members of the Tuller family.
John was pre-deceased by his parents, and sister-in-law, Gail (Ainslie) Twombly.
Friends may call at the Dakin Funeral Home in New Berlin on Friday February 9th, from 3:30pm- 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Unadilla Valley Community Scholarship Fund or DAV.org .
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday February 10th at the Burlington Flats Baptist Church at 10:00am.
The Service of Committal and Burial will follow at the Hartwick Cemetery in the spring.
Arrangements are by the Dakin Funeral Home, LP, New Berlin, NY.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.dakinfuneralhome.com.