It has been six months since the passing of our dear friend and colleague, John Ireland, and the staff at Public Trust Advisors and NYCLASS so feel his loss and absence. We honor his memory and appreciate the many years of service he provided to the NYCLASS Governing Board as Chairman and Executive Director. On behalf of everyone at Public Trust and NYCLASS, we are very fortunate to have known John.
“He was the kind of guy who was always on point, got it right, and always with a big smile and a laugh; oh, that laugh. It let you know John was there and fully engaged,” said Tom Jordan.
John spent the majority of his career as an educator in the state of New York, teaching computer science at Panama Elementary School and fourth grade at Ashville Elementary School before spending 28 years with Panama Central School where he retired as the Director of Finance in 2008. In addition to his service on the NYCLASS Governing Board, John served as Treasurer for the Southern Chautauqua County Retired Teachers Association, as Board Member for the Community Music Project, and as a volunteer at Community Helping Hands.
In his personal life, John was a self-taught organist who loved playing the piano and often played for many local churches throughout the region. He met his wife, Donna, while working together in the mailroom of the Jamestown Mutual Insurance Company, and they celebrated their 48th anniversary in 2019. They had traveled the world together, visiting the Caribbean, Italy, Spain, and Africa. Together they had three children, Michael, Alicia, and Bethany, and one grandson Liam, with whom he loved feeding their friends, the turtles.
In memory of a life one could only wish to have, we honor John Ireland. Our friend will truly be missed. Public Trust has planted five trees in his memory, and if you would like to donate a tree as well, please click here.