Jack W. Cottrell lost his battle with Parkinson's Disease on Friday, December 28
at the Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. He was born in Syracuse on August
21, 1918, attended the Syracuse Public Schools and graduated from Syracuse
University in 1941 with a masters degree in Civil Engineering. He joined his
father, Ensign S. Cottrell, in the family surveying business, becoming sole
proprietor in 1947 when his father died. In 1990 he incorporated in a
professional corporation, Cottrell Land Surveyors, with his son, Gary, and was
still active in the business until his health began to fade. He loved his work
and was probably one of the oldest surveyors in New York State who maintained
his license to practice. He was an authority on roads & highways and
historic survey documents in central New York and provided information to many
private and public people who requested advice. He was one of the founders,
first presidents and treasurer of the Central New York Society of L and
Surveyors. He belonged to the American Congress of Surveying & Mapping and
the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.
Long interested in
history and things historical he was one of the directors of the Onondaga County
Historical Association, serving as interim president for a period of time. He
was also a member of the New York State Canal Society, the Canal Museum
Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Archaeological
Institute of America, the Landmarks Association and the Town of Manlius
Historical Society, serving on the Board of Trustees for many years and being
recognized by said society for his contributions to the Town of Manlius
community.
In 1968 he was chairman of the Town of Manlius Advisory
Committee for a Community Plan which assessed the needs and desires of Town
residents and compiled a long-range and orderly development plan for the Town.
He also served on the Onondaga County Planning Board from 1987 to 1993.
Jack was a member of the Conservative Party of New York State. He ran
unsuccessfully for N.Y. State Assembly, Town of Manlius Supervisor and Town of
Manlius Board of Trustees on the Conservative Party Line during the 1960's and
1970's. He was also treasurer of the Onondaga County Conservative Party for over
20 years.
He was elected to the Board of Education of the F-M School
Board and served for 9 years in that position, partly as president. He helped
plan and construct 3 new school district buildings lending his knowledge and
judgment to the process.
He acquired a private pilot's license in 1941
and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1942, serving in World War II until 1946. In
1947 he and his wife, Dawn, bought an 1850 brick farmhouse in the Town of
Manlius and have lived there for 66 years. Jack loved farming and operated a
"homestead farm" for many years with farm animals and machinery. Children from
local nursery schools visited the "farm" every spring to enjoy the machinery and
pet the animals. He loved children and shared this home and farm with over 35
foster children from public and private agencies and people.
Jack was
always interested in history and things historical. More than 200 of his
collection of books were donated to the Village of Manlius Library and the F-M
School District over the years. He and his wife traveled extensively through New
York State, the United States, and over 21 countries world-wide. Slide shows
were developed from his films and Jack shared these with many local groups
during the 1960’s through 1980's.
Jack is survived by his wife, Dawn, of
71 years and 7 children which include 2 sons, Gary (Rosemary) of Fayetteville,
Karl (Diane) of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and 5 daughters, Diana, deceased, Anita
Cottrell of Manlius, Faith (Thomas) Stephenson of Ottawa, Canada, Florence
(David) Grant of Weedsport, N.Y., and Laurie Cottrell of Syracuse, N.Y. He also
has 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
This was a quiet,
unpretentious man who gave of his time, talents and money to serve his neighbors
and community. His knowledge and presence will be greatly missed by all those
who knew, loved, respected and worked with him.
Contributions may be
made to Onondaga County Historical Association, 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
NY 13202 or Manlius Town Historical Society, P.O. Box 28, Manlius, NY 13104.
