Berton Sweeney
In Memory of
Berton John "Jack"
Sweeney
1929 - 2018
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Fortune - Keough Funeral Home
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>

Obituary for Berton John "Jack" Sweeney

Berton John "Jack"  Sweeney
Berton “Jack” John Sweeney, 88, of Saranac Lake, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at his home.

Born in Lake Placid on June 16, 1929, he was the son of Burton and Charlotte (Murray) Sweeney. Jack married Rita A. Acrivlelis on April 7, 1950 in Tacoma Park, Maryland. She predeceased him on March 12, 2015.

Jack graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1949. He later worked at Newman & Holmes for nine years and Bouyea Baking Co. for 27 years until his retirement in 1991. A few of Jack’s accomplishments: a lifetime member of the Follensby Hunting Club, past 37-year member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Franklin County Democratic Committee. He served two terms on the Saranac Lake Village Board and was instrumental in initiating the improvements to River Street. He also served on the town of Harrietstown Housing Authority Board of Directors and served as deputy mayor of Saranac Lake for two years.

Jack, along with Doug Bombard and other friends, were instrumental in creating the original T-bar at Mount Pisgah.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from Oct. 11, 1950, to July 12, 1954, on the U.S.S. Antietam as first class radio/radar operator during the Korean War.

Some of our family’s fondest memories were the times Dad spent as the 90-Miler pit crew chief for 32 years.

He is survived by three sons: Steve and his wife Marge of Calais, Vermont, Larry and his wife Suzan of Suffield, Connecticut, and John and his wife Cindy of Saranac Lake; three daughters: Kathleen Hogan and her husband Patrick of Saranac Lake, Jean Dufresne and her husband David of South Barre, Vermont, and Barbara Miller and her husband Daniel of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; one brother, Robert of Mount Dora, Florida; 16 grandchildren: Kevin, Kate, Brian, Dan, Matt, Erin, Casie, Caleb, Megan, Ben, Emily, Myles, Drew, Haley, Nick and Madison; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday June 16, 2018 at 10:00am at St. Bernard's Church with Rev. Patrick Ratigan Officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Jack Sweeney may make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, St. Bernard’s School or St. Bernard’s Church in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Berton John "Jack" Sweeney, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Order Flowers