GLENS FALLS – John Cosgrove Lemery transitioned into Heaven peacefully on Friday August 29, 2025 surrounded by a loving family. Born on September 8,1940 in Glens Falls, New York. He was the first born of Frances Dougrey and Joseph Augustin Anthine Leo ‘Bib’ Lemery.
He grew up in the fifth ward of the City of Glens Falls—a close knit, friendly neighborhood. He attended Broad Street and Big Cross Elementary schools with friends that he would keep for a lifetime. He was a member of the Glens Falls High School graduating class of 1958 and would go on to St. Bonaventure University. The first member of his family to attend college, he attributed the opportunity from his family’s cultivation of a love of literature – and from a scholarship to play the tuba in the St. Bonaventure marching band.
In 1962 he enrolled in Boston College Law School, where he simultaneously entered the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was at BC Law School that he met the love of his life and wife of over 60 years, Joan Katherine Elizabeth Adaire Bush of Ridgewood, New Jersey, an undergraduate at Newton College of the Sacred Heart (subsequently part of Boston College).
1965 was a confluence of events as John and Joan graduated and John was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Adjutant General’s Corps. They married on July 31 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. John commenced his active duty as a post attorney at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He would go on to receive the United States Army Commendation Medal, and he remained a proud Veteran for the rest of his life.
After an honorable discharge, John and Joan returned to Glens Falls to raise their young family where John joined the law firm of Miller & Mannix. He also dabbled in local politics serving as the first campaign manager for Gerald B.H. Solomon. In later years, they were guests of Congressman Solomon at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration. John would go on to serve as the Chairman of the Glens Falls Republican Committee. He and Joan settled on Ridge Street, where they were active in the scholastic activities of their four children: Kathy, Liz, John (Jay) and Meghan, at the Jackson Heights School and then Glens Falls High School.
John had a prolific and impactful legal career of over 50 years. He was a founding principal of the law firm, Lemery Greisler LLC, serving the Capital District and Saratoga Springs. In later years, he served as an Adjunct Professor at The University at Albany Massry School of Business, teaching entrepreneurship.
His expertise in business development law catalyzed some of the most notable economic impacts to the area, including the 1,350-acre Luther Forest Technology Campus– which many consider the largest economic development project in Upstate New York; the $46 million Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, New York’s first hotel with an indoor waterpark; and the development of Hiland Park in Queensbury.
He served on numerous advisory committees including the Member Loan Committee of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation; the Economic Development Counsel of the State University of New York at Albany; and the regional advisory board of the US Small Business Administration. John was a recipient of the Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation’s Award for Exceptional Economic Development Leadership. He was a highly valued member of the Blasch Precision Ceramics Fiduciary Board of Directors up until the time of his death.
After his retirement from Lemery Greisler LLC, he remained close to many of the members.
He rarely could venture out in town without bumping into and engaging in conversation with old colleagues, friends, or classmates from decades prior. His family would always need to add in extra time for this when planning outings or errands.
As a young father, he taught his four children the love of outdoor sports and brought them continuously in tow to play tennis, jog, and swim. A favorite part of summer was to dock on the Lake George islands and sleep overnight on the beloved 1938 Richardson cruiser, “The Entertainer.” He was a true North Country dad, packing up his children to alpine ski for the day on freezing morning weekends, no matter what the weather. In later years, he enjoyed golf with friends, proudly carrying his infamous left-handed clubs, locally and at the Indian River Club in Vero Beach, Florida.
His family and much of the community will remember him best when he was perched on his over-sized, bright red Gravely lawn mower—where he would spend equal hours both mowing the lawn and parked on Ridge Street to talk to friends and passers-by. It was a favorite form of relaxation for him.
His greatest love of all was being with his family: wife Joan, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had an indefatigable sense of optimism; light-hearted extroversion with good-humored social grace and an affinity for humorous, provocative mischief— always seeking feedback with a sarcastic grin, with his signature catch-phrase, “How’d I do?!”
Some of John’s community services have included positions as a founding member of Partners for Progress for the development of the Wood Theatre-Glens Falls; Director of the Warren County Bar Association; Board Member of the Center for Economic Growth; and Loan Committee Member of the Capital Region Economic Development Council.
Over the years John became the patriarch of a large clan; he leaves a tremendous legacy as a cherished beloved husband, father, grandparent and sibling. He is survived by his devoted wife of over 60 years, Joan (Bush) Lemery; daughter Katharine & Kris Erceg of Lake George; daughter Liz & Robert Joy of Glenville; son John (Jay) & Taryn Lemery of Denver, Colorado; daughter Meghan & William Fritz of Glens Falls.
He is also survived by grandchildren Sean & Erica Robinson; Nicholas Robinson; Bradley Erceg; Nathan & Deseree Joy; Katharine (Katie) Joy; Luke Joy; Brooke & Anthony Amedore; Maeve Lemery; Zada Lemery; Charles Fritz. He adored his young great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Isabella, & Ezra Robinson; Layla & Mia Joy and Anthony Amedore Jr.
He is survived by his beloved siblings, brother Marvin & Joanne Lemery of South Glens Falls and sister Gail & Peter Luciano of Glens Falls.
Celebration of life:
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church, 62 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Family and friends may call from 3 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, at the Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.
Burial with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Please plan your arrival by 1:40 p.m. to be part of the service.
Instead of flowers, the family encourages donations to St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 62 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
