Shushan-John A. Steele, 85, of Shushan, peacefully passed away on Monday afternoon, April 18, 2016 at his residence with family by his side. John was born October 10, 1930 in Troy and was the son of the late Thomas S. and Milbrun (Atchison) Steele. John was a 1948 graduate of Salem Washington Academy and attended Cornell University as a Chemical Engineering major. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U. S. Army.  Following his discharge, he returned home and worked very hard building up a dairy business on the 200 year old Steele homestead, naming it Steele Ridge Farm.  He ran this business for many years until he retired in the mid 1990's when his son, Tom, took over the business John was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Shushan, member and director of the New York Farm Bureau, past president and  member of the Salem Central School Board, past president and member of the Town of Salem Planning Board, and  past president and board member of the Evergreen Cemetery Association In earlier years, when not working,  he enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling, growing his favorite vegetables,  riding around  the farm on his Gator, and reading mountains of books but the most important was the time spent with family and close friends. John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Appling Steele, whom he married December 14, 1957; his children, Thomas S. (Joanne) Steele, Lucy (Gary Downie) Steele, Laura (Aaron Pratt) Steele, all of Shushan; a sister, Janice (Lee) Regulski of Clearwater, FL; his grandchildren, Benjamin and Joshua Steele and Michael (Mackenzie Levey) and  Robert Fraioli, a great granddaughter, Braelyn Pliscofsky and step-grandchildren Ian Brownell, and Gabriel and Bailey Pratt,  a cousin, Lewis Steele and several nieces and nephews. The family will have a private grave side service at the Evergreen Cemetery in Salem. Those who wish to remember John in a special way can make contributions in his memory to the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY  12865, who have been so prompt, professional and caring when their services were needed. John's family would like to thank Dr. Pender for the many years of excellent care, and the caring personnel  of Peg's Angels and Fort Hudson Home Health System for all the kindness and compassion given to John and his family.