Obituary of D. John Ridings, Jr.

D. John Ridings, Jr., 88, of Cazenovia, died unexpectedly at home. He was born on January 4, 1929, in Syracuse, and graduated from Clarkson University, with graduate studies at the University of Colorado. In 1954, John married Jane Boshart of Turin, New York, in Wiesbaden, Germany while in the U.S. Army; they later moved to Cazenovia. He was the president of Ridings Insurance Agency, Syracuse and Cazenovia. John retired from Madison Mutual Insurance Co. where he was vice chairman of the board. He had been on the NY Forest Practice Board Region 7, Madison County Planning Board and the Town of Cazenovia Assessment Review Board. John was also a member of the Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District, the New Woodstock Free Library, Owahgena Grange and trustee of the Peter Ridings Memorial Foundation. He had been secretary of NYS Association of Conservation Districts, 1st. vice president NY Forest Owners Association, president of the Cazenovia Civic Club and the Optimist Club of Cazenovia. John had been treasurer of the Syracuse Country Dancers and Midstate Spring Co. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane Boshart; his son, Peter B. Ridings and a brother, Peter A. Ridings. John is survived by two daughters, Anne (William) Morford of Cazenovia and Martha (Michael Piwonka) Ridings of North Carolina; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Fusco of Cazenovia; a brother, David Ridings; seven grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. At John’s request, there are no calling hours, services, donations or flowers.