John E. "Jack" Laidlaw, Sr., 81 of Walton, passed away Thursday evening at his hunting camp in the town of Colchester.

Jack was born in Delhi on March 18, 1927 the son of the late Veyrill and Kathryn (Flynn) Laidlaw. On June 24, 1950 he married the former Patricia Hoerning in St. Peters, Delhi. He was employed as an assistant civil engineer by the NYC Board of Water Supply, Walton, retiring after 33 years. He was a member of the Club Royale Oasis, the Walton American Legion, and St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.

Jack was also a veteran of the US armed forces having served post WW-II during the Berlin Crisis; member of the Air Force Reserve and having recently retired from the Army National Guard.

Jack was a dedicated supporter of Boy Scouts. He was a scoutmaster for many years of the St. Johns Chapter 87 of the Boy Scouts of America, and a district committee member of the Otsedella District of Boy Scouts. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing. He also was a terrific dad who was proud of all 7 of his children.

Jack is survived by his wife Patricia, 4 sons, John E. (Yung-Ji) Laidlaw II, Athens, Pennsylvania; Patrick (Alex) Laidlaw, Ft. Monroe, Virginia; Michael Laidlaw, Binghamton; William Laidlaw, Rochester; 3 daughters, Susan Doig, Downsville; Mary Laidlaw, Jupiter, Florida; Kathryn (Timothy) Beyrer, Hackettstown, New Jersey; grandchildren, John E. III, Scott, Patricia K.,LuzAmelia and Kellyann, Laidlaw, David, Christopher Doig; Carmine Ramazio; great grandchildren, Grace, Nora and Isla, 2 sisters, Kathryn Chantry, Richmond, Virginia; Elizabeth McNulty, Stewart, Florida; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 11 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, Benton Ave., Walton with the Rev. Matthew Frizoni, officiating. Burial will follow in Hamden Cemetery. There will be a benefit for Jack at the Rainbow Lodge, Walton at 2 PM Tuesday.

Memorial contributions in Jack's memory may be made to Walton EMS, 61 West St., Walton, NY 13856.