Obituary of John R. Ireland

John R. Ireland, 68, of Jamestown, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at his home after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. John was born December 20, 1950 in Panama, NY, the son of Jarvis and Margaret Perkins Ireland. He was a graduate of Panama Central School and SUNY Fredonia, where he earned his BA, MA, SAS and SDA degrees in education and administration. He retired in 2008 as the Director of Finance at Panama Central School after working 28 years for the district. He also taught fourth grade at Ashville Elementary School and computer science at Panama Elementary School. Before he began his career as an educator, he met the love of his life, Donna, while working together in the mailroom at Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company. Prior to that he spent his teenage years working at the family owned Ireland and Sons grocery store where he would regularly help himself to the penny candy. John loved music and served as an organist and choir director at several Jamestown area churches including Epworth Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Jamestown, First Baptist Church of Falconer and Hurlbut Memorial Church in Chautauqua Institution. He most recently spent 12 years as organist and choir director at First Covenant Church. He also loved playing the piano for the Living Christmas Tree every holiday season. He was a self-taught organist and would sometimes joke that he couldn't play Bach. However, he inspired thousands with his ability to find the musical soul of any anthem or hymn that he played. John was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church where he served on the Finance Committee. He was also the executive secretary for NY CLASS, treasurer of the Southern Chautauqua County Retired Teachers Association, a board member of the Community Music Project and was a volunteer at Community Helping Hands. He also had the uncanny ability to remember every license plate number he ever saw. John will be remembered as a loving and caring man who enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Donna Bloomberg Ireland, with whom he celebrated their 48th anniversary the day before his death. Two children, Michael (Jessica) Ireland of Los Angeles, CA and Alicia (Nicholas) Smith of Sumter, SC. John loved spending time with his grandson, Liam, especially feeding their friends the turtles. Also surviving are three brothers and one sister, Jack (Keith) Ireland of Youngstown, OH; Jerry (Pamela) Ireland, Jeffrey (Brenda) Ireland and Ann (Shawn) Schnars all of Panama. He would want it to be known that even in death, he still remains Number One. John is also survived by many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and the many, many friends he made along the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Bethany on June 22, 1976 with whom he will be reunited in burial. John enjoyed traveling with his wife to the Caribbean, Italy, Spain and Africa. He will truly be missed. The family will receive friends from 2-5pm on Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. A celebration of life will take place on Monday at 11am at First Covenant Church. The Rev. Adam Rohler, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Panama Union Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Alliance Foundation, P.O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240, Chautauqua County Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750 or to First Covenant Church, 520 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701.