John A. Virginia, 79, of Baldwinsville, passed away March 2, 2022, following a short illness. Born in Amboy, he grew up in Fairmount and graduated from West Genesee. John joined the U.S. Navy on May 16, 1960, serving three years as an aviation electronics technician and stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk that was deployed in Yokosuka, Japan during the Vietnam War. Upon discharge, John started a family in Fairmount and began working for New Venture Gear in September 1964 as a draftsman. Shortly thereafter, John went to work for C&S Engineers and spent his entire 38-year career as a project manager in their wastewater management division.
At an early age, John developed a love for the outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent every winter in the woods deer hunting. When he was not hunting, you would find John on a trout stream, in a boat or drilling holes in the ice in search of perch and walleye. When not hunting and fishing, he was out golfing. He once volunteered on an “Extreme Makeover House Edition” in Upstate New York.
As he neared retirement, John volunteered with Camp Good Days and Special Times, helping kids with cancer enjoy outdoor activities including fishing and camping. John was passionate about springer spaniels, he had four springers throughout his life. John fell in love with that breed during the times he was hunting pheasants. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Doris and his brother William.
Survived by his sons; John DiVirgilio of Dallas, TX; James (Dawnmarie Puleo) Virginia of Warners; and Derek (Jessica Casey) Virginia of Baldwinsville; two grandchildren Ella Rae and Grant.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 9, from 5 to 7 pm at B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St., Camillus. Private funeral services. Burial will be in Belle Isle Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times,356 N. Midler Ave, Syracuse, NY 13206 online at www.campgooddays.org or The Jimmy V Foundation online at v.org.
