John Ernest Felty

Dr. John Ernest Felty, 85, of Beartown Road, West Chazy, died peacefully at his home Sunday, February 14, 2010 with his family, friends, and loyal dog, Bacchus, by his side. John passed away Monday, February 15, 2010. He was born in Everett, Washington on February 14th 1925, the only child of John Homer and Sarah Rae Felty. John earned his undergraduate and Master's degree at the University of Washington and received a PhD from Michigan State University. During WW II John enlisted and trained with one of the last US Horse Calvary divisions. When training with the infantry in North Africa he was recruited by Army Intelligence to work for the Signal Corps, for whom he intercepted and re-transmitted German communications. He served as a signal engineer for the Fifth Army during the Battle of Anzio, Italy. One of the highlights of his military career was participating in the liberation of Rome on June 5, 1944. John was a professor of Psychology at Plattsburgh State University from 1966 - 1987. He then moved to Florida and worked until 1997 as a school psychologist for the Collier County Public School. After his second retirement John moved back to the North Country and lived in the passive solar house he designed and built by hand. John's innovative home would prove to be an unending work in progress. Ten years into its completion when asked if he'd ever consider writing a book about the building, John replied, "Well, if I did it would have to be a comedy". John loved music, from Bach to Brubeck. His knowledge of classical and jazz was near encyclopedic. He was a violinist with the Plattsburgh State College Community Orchestra for over 10 years. He had a profound appreciation for the present moment. John was always game for a spontaneous hike or cross-country ski in the woods or an impromptu dinner with family or friends. His ability to engage in the moment was reflected in his close personal bond with his each of his grandchildren. John was an ardent ecologist, and a great supporter of many environmental organizations. He was a backcountry canoeist, and enjoyed long camping trips throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Adirondacks and the Algonquin watershed. More than anything, John lived a life that expressed his spirit and values. He was non-judgmental, open-minded, distrustful of authority, and treated his dog as an equal. He took delight in his grandchildren, had the comedic timing of Mel Brooks, and always rooted for the underdog (including his life-long frustration, the Seattle Seahawks). John was non-pretentious and self-effacing. He considered the natural world his place of worship, loved to travel, and never turned down a celebratory glass of wine. John is survived by his three daughters; Sarah Kairoff of Winston-Salem NC, Britt-Marie McDowell and William McDowell of Plattsburgh NY, Margret Felty of Plattsburgh NY, one son; John Felty and Huiling Felty of Houston TX; former wife Katherine Felty; and nine beloved grandchildren, Daniel and Anna Kairoff; Nina, Samuel, and Olivia McDowell; Jack Drinkall; and Erik, Jackson, and Nicholas Felty. Friends and family are invited to celebrate John's life on Wednesday, February 17th at 5pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 4 Palmer Street in Plattsburgh NY. John's family would like to express their gratitude to the many friends who have provided care, humor, love and comfort through the last months of John's life. As John would say, "Wow¦thank you¦.I love you all." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Doctors Without Borders or the "Home for Hospice" Capital Building Fund. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street in Plattsburgh, New York 12901. (518)-561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com "It was a good run"