Obituary of John Harold Martin Lonnstrom, Jr.

Dr. John Harold Martin Lonnstrom, Jr. passed away suddenly on April 13, 2023.  

John Lonnstrom was born in Brooklyn on June 26, 1932 and moved to upstate NY when he was still a child. John graduated Voorheesville High School in 1950, then studied pre-dental at Champlain College for two years before transferring to the State University of Buffalo and obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1956. Shortly after graduation, John was called for military duty and served as a Captain in the Army from 1956 to 1958. He was a dentist in the Korean Military Advisory Group, a United States military unit of the Korean War.  In the 1960’s he met and married the love of his life, Hazel. They settled in Voorheesville, had two children, and John practiced dentistry with Dr. Meyers. In 1970 John established his private dental practice in Delmar. 

Dentistry was a natural fit for John, affectionately referred to as “Doc” throughout most of his life, by patients and friends alike. “Doc” loved to do things with his hands and was an avid hobbyist - bowling, building model trains, woodworking, making balloon animals, juggling, baking, cooking, doing magic and card tricks. In fact, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians! He was a brilliant guy who could figure anything out – he was just that smart. After his wife Hazel passed away in 1988, John became enamored with Disney World and became one of its biggest fans. Armed with a Magic Kingdom Club lifetime member pass, for about 20 years he visited Disney at least twice a year, became friends with their performing magicians, and helped start a local fan club. 

After John retired in 2002, he spent his time going to craft fairs, car shows, magic shows, visiting historic sites and of course, visiting Disney. In 2017 John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. John was able to continue living at home for many years as his daughter, Karen, took care of him. Similarly, his amazing caregiver, Joanne, helped give him an incredibly joyful last 5 years.

Dr. Lonnstrom began living at Kingsway Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in 2021 and enjoyed his life there -always the one to tell jokes and make new friends with staff and residents. John’s family would like to acknowledge the staff and the extraordinary kindness and care shown by the staff of Kingsway Manor.

Dr. Lonnstrom leaves behind a loving family, including his son, Eric Lonnstrom and daughter-in-law, Susan; his daughter, Karen Lonnstrom and son-in-law, Rick Decker; his brother Doug Lonnstrom and sister-in-law Cris; several grandchildren, and his best friend Joanne Garhartt. John was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Val and his wife Hazel Lonnstrom. 

Throughout his life, “Doc” was amiable, exacting and had a dry sense of humor. He made many friends over a lifetime - patients, neighbors, classmates, and strangers. John lived a very full life and will be missed by many.

Family, friends, and all those who remember John, are invited to join us for drinks and appetizers at a “celebration of life” anytime between 4-7pm on Thursday April 27^th at the Albany Country Club (300 Wormer Road, Voorheesville, NY).