John R. Hotchkin, born Oct. 25, 1940, Short Hills, NJ to Betty and James Hotchkin. He was brother to William and Betsey. He began flying lessons age 14, working part time to pay for lessons. He attained his private license age 16, in spite of his parents' concerns.
John earned his Masters in Business Administration from Columbia and Bachelors from Babson Institute in 1963.
He served in the U.S. Navy 1963 - 68 attained Lieutenant and served with patrol Squadron 49, "No sanctuary in the deep." During this time he flew a variety of aircraft and was carrier qualified.
John attained his Commercial Pilots license and became self employed by flying for many private businesses in the Western New York area. He mainly flew out of Akron and Niagara Falls, New York. John was a highly respected pilot who other pilots would call on if they could not make a trip. For non-business flights John flew his Mooney, call number N1JH, and later a Beechcraft A36. Flying for him was both business and pleasure. John logged over 10,000 accident free hours in the air in a impressive variety of aircraft.
In 1981 he met Judy Weisbeck, whom he married and lived in Alden, New York.
Sailing was his second love and spent many a day on Lake Ontario keeping his boat at Tuscarora Yacht Club in Wilson, New York. In his teenage years he taught sailing to children in the Great South Bay. He also won several trophies from racing sail boats.
John was loved by all and known for his quick wit, gift of gab and general fun loving nature. Kind hearted, valiant, a lover of animals, he had friends all over this planet It was a joy and honor to be his wife. John left us for fairer skies and seas on April 16, 2010. He leaves behind his wife, brother, sister, brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.