John Hviid

Summit- John J. Hviid, 76, of Davis Road, died Thursday, January 6, 2022 at his home while in the loving care of his family.

Born July 25, 1945, in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Arne Hviid and Dorothy (Reusman) Erland.

John was a United States Air Force veteran, serving overseas during the 1960’s. He retired from Cooperstown Medical Transport where he  had a long rewarding career of serving his community as a medic.  He began as an ambulance driver and worked his way through the years up to be a Nationally Registered Paramedic.  He loved what he did and passed along his knowledge to many others.

John Hviid lovingly known to his family as "Papa John" and in the community by many other nicknames that honor his love and dedication to his fellow brothers and community.

Always dedicated to being a good man and offering his opinion in his unique way, made every encounter with him a remembered one.  He touched so many lives through his years as a parent, a paramedic, and a friend.

Papa John was an avid advocate for his love of baseball, his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers and his "orange team", his little league team that he coached when his daughters were young. A team that consisted of his 2 daughters and all girls that ended up coming out on top of the league.    John, or “Shovelhead John “as his friends loved to refer to him, enjoyed his last twelve years of a rich life as a resident storyteller at his beloved home away from home, JT’s Cycles. Everyone who came through the doors knew and loved him as a man of great wisdom and knowledge. He shared his stories and wisdom with an open heart, and taught many through his vast experience, how to live life with clear eyes and a full heart.

Papa John loved rock and roll, he loved the original and classic tunes making no mistake he did not approve of the remakes of his favorites.

He was full of life and quirks that we all adore. Most important he was a strong and generous man that offered his most precious piece of advice to all ... and that was to live! On his bike he was a free soul, wild and free with the breeze in his face.

He left his mark on this world... Not from his bike and an oil leak but from a splat of coffee at every turn he made.  May we all be carefree and willing to embrace his ability to be free and live with honor and integrity.

He was the loving father of Erika (Harold) Morell of Worcester and Kara (Vincent) Pigliavento of Schenectady; grandfather of Joshua, Jenna and Kassie; brother of Jeannette Hviid of Richmondville and Warren “Roy” Melby of Cobleskill and uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held at 8 PM on Friday,  January 14, 2022 at Chieftans Restaurant, 584 E. Main St., Cobleskill, NY.

In John’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.