Obituaries

With saddened hearts, we announce the passing of Howard "John " McLymond, 69, longtime resident of Hannibal NY, on February 19th, 2026 after struggling for years with chronic illnesses.

He will be missed by many and leaves behind a legacy of being quick-witted, humble, stubborn as an ox, and for being one of the most generous and kind people one could have ever met.

John was predeceased by his mother, Esther Anne (née Rice) Boyce in 1992 and his father, Howard R. McLymond in 2023, both of Mexico, NY. John was born and raised in Mexico, NY by his father, where he was an active participant in Little League Baseball, enjoyed snowmobiling and was engaged in safety trainings for the community. He attended Mexico Academy Central

Schools during which he was a valued member of the wrestling team. John graduated with the class of 1974.

John was employed at Weber's Dairy Farm in Mexico, NY, followed by working for Goldberg's Furniture in Oswego, NY where he was a delivery person. John eventually was employed at Sealright / Huhtamaki for 23 years until he medically retired. John was reliable and consistent as a person and as an employee.

John was an avid reader specifically of science fiction, he enjoyed doing crosswords, collecting recipes, and was a fan of The NY Giants football team. He enjoyed feeding and watching birds and was an enthusiastic hunter which he would do yearly with friends and family as his health allowed.

In 1976 John was married to Debbi (née Barney) McLymond and despite separating and eventually divorcing, they remained life long friends and both families welcomed each other and celebrated those bonds that were forged and continue to this day. Both families celebrate holidays, birthdays and other family milestones together and together grieve his passing.

John is survived by his 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Andrew John (Catrina) McLymond and their children Mia and Andrew John II of NC, Brooke McLymond and her daughter Ryleigh Lembeck of Oswego, NY. Colene McLymond and her children Alyssa (Miguel Gomez), Rafael, Noah and Natalia. Two great grandchildren, Emilia and Andréas Gomez-McLymond of FL. Howard John Patrick (Heather) McLymond and their children Caiden, Zaiden, Howard Sean Patrick and Avery of OH.

John is survived by his brother Robert M. McLymond, sister Gail A. (Billy) Stevens, and nephew Christopher (Diana) Stevens of Palermo, NY. Sister Lori L. (Erwin) Sawyer of Oswego, NY, nephews Eric (Lauren) Sawyer of Lockport, NY and Erwin (Shaina) Sawyer of Hannibal, NY. John is also survived by his sister Lynn Boyce of Oswego, NY.

Besides his siblings, children, grandchildren and nephews, John leaves behind great nephews and nieces, many cousins and some other very special family members and friends. Calvin and Donna Fellows, Tara and Trisha Barney as well as Erika and Revé Myers all remained close to "Uncle Howie" and enjoyed spending time with him and having free reign of his house as teens.

As long as the furniture was "moved back inside" before he got home from work, there weren't many questions asked.

John was also like family to Marissa McLymond, sister of his children Andrew, Brooke and Colene. John was a surrogate grandfather figure for their nephew, Logan Bort. John is also survived by longtime neighbor and friend Daniel Moore of Hannibal, NY.

John will be remembered for never finding a pair of gloves or box he didn't have a future use for. He was a "collector" of many objects, but he was genuinely a collector of friends, and honorary family members due to his kind soul, loyal heart, and never-ending dedication to those he truly loved.

The family would like to thank Chuck Burger, The Fulton Police Department, Menter and Dowdle Funeral Home, who handled arrangements, for their compassion, care and preservation of dignity through this process.

The family extends their invitation to a graveside service and burial that will be held on June 26, 2026 at 11:30 am in The Village of Mexico Cemetery, which is located on Academy St. in Mexico NY, followed by a Celebration of Life at the VFW Mexico Post 369 located at 5930 Scenic Ave, Mexico NY from 4 pm to 8pm.