John C. “Jack” Van Scoter
John C. “Jack” Van Scoter, a beloved pillar of the community, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 95 on May 10, 2024, in his family’s homestead. Jack was born on March 15, 1929, the son of the late Florence (nee Slaght) and Walter David Van Scoter, on Maple Grove Farm, located in the Town of Pomfret. The farm was purchased by Jack’s grandfather in the early 1800s, and was an important supplier of fruit, dairy, vegetables, and finally John Deere tractor and farming supplies to the community. It was life on the farm that taught Jack his never-ending work ethic, his firm handshake, and a unique set of skills that would serve him well over his career and lifetime.
Jack attended the Fredonia Normal School and graduated from Fredonia High School in 1947. Notably, Jack was a member of the 1945 undefeated football team – a first in its 27-year history, and the first time Fredonia was able to defeat its long-standing foe, Dunkirk High School, twice in one season. Those wins began the rivalry between the two teams that lasted for decades and provided Jack with a great sense of pride and camaraderie with his teammates. He attended Michigan State with a football scholarship, was initiated into the SAE fraternity in 1949 and graduated ROTC in business administration in 1951. Jack was a Korean War veteran, entering the Army as a weapons instructor in the Quartermaster Corps. and School at Fort Lee, Virginia in 1952, and was discharged in 1954 with the rank of First Lieutenant.
Jack met his wife, the former Constance (Connie) B. Bolin of Grosse Point, MI, at Michigan State. They were married in 1957, returning to live in Fredonia where Jack began his self-employed, entrepreneurial career with Baird Realty. He collaborated with architects and builders to take advantage of the area’s extensive neighborhood development and the SUNY expansion of the 1960s. He and Connie were intricately involved in the community, with Jack joining the Fredonia Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees, serving as President for several years. He served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Darwin R. Barker Library and was also a member of the Fredonia Rotary Club, Forest Masonic Lodge 166, Fredonia Grange 1, Jamestown Consistory, and Ismailia Temple of Buffalo. He was a member of the Vikings Club, Bemus Point, The Erie Club, Erie, PA, and a former member of Shorewood Country Club.
Jack purchased the Cockaigne ski area in Cherry Creek, NY in 1970, with the intention of quickly turning operations around and providing an economic boost to the area. Cockaigne operated under Jack’s tutelage for 41 years, contributing significantly to the small business community and the Great Lakes region. He proudly employed over 200 people who were fortunate to learn from his work ethic, dedication to service, and community spirit. His “learn to ski” programs, outreach to area ski clubs, and family-oriented activities provided countless memories shared by many. Jack was a member of and served on the Board of Directors for the Ski Area of New York (SANY) and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) in the early to late 70s, and was considered a pioneer among his peers within the ski industry. He brought the new technology of snow-making to his operations in the early 70s, long before it was adopted as a common practice. He was inducted into the SANY Hall of Fame in 2012. Jack and Connie, with brother David Van Scoter, opened and operated The Grainery Restaurant across from the ski area in the 70s for many to enjoy. Tragically, the former NYC World’s Fair lodge burned down in January 2011, ending Jack’s decades-long commitment to sharing his love of winter sports.
Jack was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed boating on Chautauqua Lake in his 1957 – 16 ft. teak outboard, “C’est la Vie,” and his 1980s Barefoot Nautique, allowing him to take up barefoot skiing in his late 60s. He was known to endure “those endlessly long summers” so he could enjoy his favorite season – winter – and host the varied festivities at Cockaigne, most notably, the end of year Spring Fling and NASTAR racing events. He was a civil war enthusiast and frequently visited Gettysburg with his family. Jack always had time for others and was never far from his favorite dogs throughout the years. He sadly leaves behind his beloved golden retriever, Sugar, who now resides in East Aurora with dear friends.
Throughout his life, Jack remained deeply connected to his roots, cherishing his family history and homestead that witnessed his beginnings and saw his final days. He is predeceased by his parents, sister Ruth Henry, and beloved wife Connie. He is survived by his brother W. David Van Scoter of Akron, OH; son John (Ann) Van Scoter, II of Denver, CO; daughter Sarah (Bob) Porter of Still River, MA; grandchildren Kathryn (Michael) Kastner of Dallas, TX; John (Jack) C. Van Scoter, III of Princeton, NJ; Hannah and Christah Porter; and great-grandchildren Jack Daniel and Beau Kastner of Dallas, TX, as well as niece and nephews Jennifer and Walter Van Scoter and Geoffrey (Patti) Tischbein.
Visitation will be held at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 11 AM – 1 PM, where a memorial service will immediately follow at 1 PM. Friends and family are also invited to attend a reception at Shorewood Country Club, 4958 West Lake Road, Dunkirk, NY, from 2-4 PM after the service. The internment at Forest Hill Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jack’s honor to The Lawson Center, 73 Lakeside Drive, Bemus Point, NY 14712. Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. An online live stream of the memorial service will be available on Jack’s site on the Larson-Timko website, larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home.