John C. Stensland, 76, of South New Berlin, NY passed away at home on December 1, 2013. He was the son of Hans and Lillian Ruby Stensland of Gilbertsville, NY. He graduated from Gilbertsville Central School in 1955.
He married Donna M Smith at the Presbyterian Church in Gilbertsville, NY on February 7, 1959. Shortly after high school, John worked at Morris Manor House Farm with the show horses in Morris, NY. In November of 1960, he began working for the New York State Electric and Gas Corporation in Norwich, NY. He worked many different jobs in his thirty-three years of employment at NYSEG. He became First Class Lineman, Chief Foreman, General Foreman and when he retired on February 1, 1994 he was the Electric Construction Manager. While working at NYSEG he served two terms as the Vice-President of IBEW local Union 992. He was also a two term President of the Local Executive Board. Additionally, he served as a volunteer fireman of South New Berlin, NY a Fire Commissioner and a Town of New Berlin Board Member. He was the Town of New Berlin Town Justice for two terms, a two term President of the Chenango County Magistrates Association and a member of the Chenango County Traffic Safety Board. In 1986, John and Donna purchased a lake house in Clarksville, Virginia where they spent most of their winters following retirement. John enjoyed being with his family and friends, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, remodeling and building such things as a garage. He also enjoyed gardening and landscaping.
John is survived by his wife Donna of 54 years, 5 children: Laurie Christine Stensland, Goldsboro, NC, John Scott, New York City, NY, Roberta Jean Stensland, Chesterfield, VA, Sandra Lee and Donald Netto, Watertown, NY and Valerie and Stephen Morris, Amelia, VA , 7 grandchildren (Joshua and Jason Bryant, Lindsey, Courtney and Brian Netto, and Hannah and Makayla Morris.
He was the youngest of six siblings, all of which survive; Dorothy Curtis of Endwell, Evelyn Meers of Gilbertsville, Mike Stensland of Gilbertsville, Jean Stebbins of Gilbertsville, and Pauline Stensland of Port Orange, FL. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris with the Deacon Donna Steckline officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in John’s name to the Hospice of Chenango County 21 Hayes St. Norwich, NY 13815 or The American Cancer Society 13 Beech St. Johnston City, NY 13790.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.johnstonfh.com Arrangements are by Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.