John Arthur Meyer

Cambridge, NY - With profound sadness, the family of John Arthur Meyer announces his peaceful passing at the age of 97 on April 30, 2025. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, John led a life grounded in service, deep family values, and a quiet strength that touched everyone who knew him.

Born on November 12th, 1927 in Astoria, New York, John was the firstborn son of John and Dorothea (Schmeh) Meyer. He spent his formative years in River Edge, New Jersey, alongside his beloved younger brother Roger. John was an Eagle Scout, of which he was very proud, and he graduated from Hackensack High School before proudly answering the call to serve his country during the Korean War.

After his honorable discharge from military service, John returned home, married the love of his life, Isobel Stephen, and together they built a warm and loving home in River Edge. For 57 years, they shared a marriage filled with dedication, and the joy of raising a family until Isobel’s passing in August of 2010.

John’s career was deeply rooted in service to others. He briefly studied at Stevens Institute of Technology before joining the River Edge Police Department, where his unmatched civil service test score launched a 34-year journey from Patrolman to Chief of Police. He took pride in protecting his community and was equally committed as a long-time volunteer with the local fire department and ambulance squad. He somehow found time engage in many community activities, as well as to coach his sons’ Little League teams and assist with their Scout troop activities, and help craft numerous school projects for his children.

John was a truly remarkable family man with many talents too numerous to count, a true jack-of all trades. Growing up during the Great Depression he learned from a young age to repair or make almost anything and continued to do so for the remainder of his life. He took on many handyman jobs during his time in River Edge to help support his family, building cabinets, replacing roofs, renovating kitchens and bathrooms. Neighbors could always depend on John to lend a hand whenever there was a leaky pipe or squeaky door. If something needed doing, he knew how to do it - and more importantly, he was always willing to teach others what he knew.

He loved to share his extraordinary knowledge with his children and anyone who was interested or in need of assistance. John brilliantly embodied the value of resourcefulness, and passed that on to his children and grandchildren.

John and Isobel raised five children together, instilling in them the importance of education, hard work, and kindness. One of John’s proudest accomplishments was seeing each of his children earn their college degrees and pursue careers they love. They all cherish the memories of family vacations, camping in New Hampshire and on Cape Cod, and the magical Christmases John and Isobel provided.

When John retired, he dove headfirst into the role of master builder of his dream project - a beautiful log cabin in Cambridge, New York, for he and Isobel to share with their family. Using an old digger he repaired himself and skills honed by years of moonlighting as a carpenter, mason, plumber, and electrician, he built his entire house by himself from foundation to roof.

As grandchildren arrived John turned his master woodworking skills to handcrafting exquisite baby cradles that he insisted be made with no nails or screws. Each cradle was adorned with a hand carved plaque with the name and birthday of each baby who arrived. Those cradles are now cherished family heirlooms that will be handed down to and loved by future generations to come.

Retirement allowed John to enjoy those activities that were lifelong loves of his - hunting and fishing. He spent many happy hours in the woods surrounding his home, and stalking trout in the Battenkill River. It also enabled him to become an active member in his new community, volunteering at the Mary McClellan Hospital, the Shushan Covered Bridge Museum, as well as being active in the Old First Church of Bennington and the Green Mountain Antique Car Club.

Another favorite activity was producing maple syrup - he built a small sugar house and each Spring made a syrup that was unsurpassed. In the evening, John could often be found working on his books of New York Times Crossword puzzles, his well-worn dictionary by his side.

Many happy family gatherings were spent at Grandma and Grandpa’s cabin where there was plenty of room to run and play, woods to explore, hunting and fishing, and tubing on the Battenkill. The home became a sanctuary for the entire family - a place with laughter, campfires, adventures, and hearty meals cooked by Grandma.

John will be deeply missed by his brother Roger Meyer; his children, Jennifer Pryke (James), Elizabeth Hughes (Norman), Jeffrey Meyer (Lynn), John David Meyer (Janet), and Gregg Meyer (Bonnie); and his beloved grandchildren: Megan Pryke, Kathryn Stonehocker, Robert Pryke, Sarah Wilde, Stephanie Edwards, Kerry Eckerd, Shannon Engstrand, Caitie Meyer, Ian Meyer, Brandon Hatch, Tyler Hatch, Brooke Hughes, Justin Hughes, and Morgan Hughes, He also leaves behind many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and his close family friend Carol Rich of Shushan, who brought comfort and companionship in his later years. John Arthur Meyer lived a full life, built on love, integrity, and service. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, and quiet wisdom that will live on in all of us who were lucky enough to have known him.

In accordance with his wishes, John will be interred at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY with his wife Isobel.

A memorial service will be held at the Old First Church, 60 Monument Ave, Bennington, Vermont on Sunday June 8th at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old First Church, 60 Monument Ave, Bennington, VT 05201, the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert St., Cambridge, NY 12816 or the Cambridge Valley Fire Department, P.O. Box 554, Cambridge, NY 12816 - organizations close to John’s heart which will continue his legacy of service to others.

To express your sympathy or share a memory of John, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

The Ackley, Ross & Gariepy Funeral Home in Cambridge, NY is assisting the family with arrangements.

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