John Kogut Jr., 1916-2008, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.

My 92-year-old great-Uncle John passed way last night near his home in Upstate New York. He had struggled in recent months but showed great determination for someone his age.

Our family has many fond memories of Uncle John to reflect upon in this time of sadness. Given the close-knit nature of the six Kogut brothers and sisters, we often spent the holidays together or celebrated birthdays and special events as one big family.

John Albert Kogut Jr. was born in 1916, the third of six Kogut children who grew up in New York Mills, N.Y. (My grandmother, who died in 2006, was his youngest sister.) Uncle John married my great-Aunt Florence and lived near Hamilton, N.Y., about an hour away.

We didn’t make it out to his place often, but when we did, my cousins and I loved playing in his never-ending fields. When I was a teenager and took up golf, it was Uncle John who often gave me lessons and tips. He was an avid golfer himself, and I’ll always remember the time he took me to play at the exclusive Seven Oaks Gold Club.

On my wedding night in 2003, Uncle John, who decided against making the trip to Connecticut due to his age, surprised both me and my wife with a phone call to congratulate us. That’s just the type of person he was — so caring and loving. I don’t remember many conversations from that night, but I’ll never forget the phone call from Uncle John.

Uncle John joins two brothers, two sisters and son Jimmy in heaven. His last remaining sibling, my great-Aunt Mary, visited him Thursday. Please keep her and his wife Florence in your prayers.

We will miss you, Uncle John. May you rest in peace.