He was one of the good ones.
On Tuesday, August 21, the Victor community lost one of its most beloved, respected public servants when longtime Victor Town Justice John J. Dwyer Jr. passed away at age 82.
Outspoken, firm, fair, honest, larger-than-life — Judge Dwyer wielded both common sense and a sense of humor in the courtroom and in the classroom.
Born in 1930 in the Bronx, Judge Dwyer became well-known as an educator, a dedicated town justice, a passionate fly fisherman, an avid golfer, an environmentalist, an interim vice principal in Victor schools, a member of the Victor Fire Department, and a ballistics specialist in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
To his wife, three sons and six grandchildren, Judge Dwyer was also a loving husband, father and grandfather.
The man
In 1957, John and Sally Dwyer were married — a union that lasted more than five decades. The couple moved to Victor in 1962 and became involved in the community almost immediately.
“He was born in the Bronx,” Sally Dwyer said, and when he moved to Victor, he really thought it was a bit like heaven. He used to tell his students, ‘the sun always shines in Victor.’”
“He was an ordinary human being who liked to be around people,” said Sally Dwyer. “We would have been married 55 years this December — he was ‘my mainstay.’”
Sally said her secret for a lasting marriage with her outspoken husband was simple.
“I developed a fondness for arguing,” she said with a smile, “and I learned to be persuasive.”
The father and grandfather
A lifelong trout fisherman, Judge Dwyer used to take his family to Powder Mill Park on opening day of trout season each year.
“(When it was time to leave),” recalled his youngest son, Bob Dwyer, “I remember my father kept saying we were going to be late if my brother didn’t quit combing his hair in the mirror — the fish didn’t care what his hair looked like.”
“He was strict,” said Bob Dwyer. “But any and all repercussions from his strictness hopefully have paid off. We knew he loved us. While not a demonstrative man, through his actions it was evident that he loved us.”
“He taught his sons how to be men,” Sally said, “and he was adored by his grandchildren.”
The judge
In 1971 Judge Dwyer became Victor Town Justice, a position he held for nearly 30 years. He also served on the town board.
He was one of the good ones.
On Tuesday, August 21, the Victor community lost one of its most beloved, respected public servants when longtime Victor Town Justice John J. Dwyer Jr. passed away at age 82.
Outspoken, firm, fair, honest, larger-than-life — Judge Dwyer wielded both common sense and a sense of humor in the courtroom and in the classroom.
Born in 1930 in the Bronx, Judge Dwyer became well-known as an educator, a dedicated town justice, a passionate fly fisherman, an avid golfer, an environmentalist, an interim vice principal in Victor schools, a member of the Victor Fire Department, and a ballistics specialist in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
To his wife, three sons and six grandchildren, Judge Dwyer was also a loving husband, father and grandfather.
The man
In 1957, John and Sally Dwyer were married — a union that lasted more than five decades. The couple moved to Victor in 1962 and became involved in the community almost immediately.
“He was born in the Bronx,” Sally Dwyer said, and when he moved to Victor, he really thought it was a bit like heaven. He used to tell his students, ‘the sun always shines in Victor.’”
“He was an ordinary human being who liked to be around people,” said Sally Dwyer. “We would have been married 55 years this December — he was ‘my mainstay.’”
Sally said her secret for a lasting marriage with her outspoken husband was simple.
“I developed a fondness for arguing,” she said with a smile, “and I learned to be persuasive.”
The father and grandfather
A lifelong trout fisherman, Judge Dwyer used to take his family to Powder Mill Park on opening day of trout season each year.
“(When it was time to leave),” recalled his youngest son, Bob Dwyer, “I remember my father kept saying we were going to be late if my brother didn’t quit combing his hair in the mirror — the fish didn’t care what his hair looked like.”
“He was strict,” said Bob Dwyer. “But any and all repercussions from his strictness hopefully have paid off. We knew he loved us. While not a demonstrative man, through his actions it was evident that he loved us.”
“He taught his sons how to be men,” Sally said, “and he was adored by his grandchildren.”
The judge
In 1971 Judge Dwyer became Victor Town Justice, a position he held for nearly 30 years. He also served on the town board.
During that time Judge Dwyer spent a good deal of time with his mentor and friend, Victor Town Justice Charlie Rose.
“I can remember as a kid when my dad first was elected town justice, he would talk about being a town justice with Charlie,” said Bob. “My dad had no legal experience — he was a school teacher and taught in the Rochester City School District for about 25 years. (But he always said,) ‘You don’t have a great legal mind but you do have to have the ability to learn and the ability to be fair.’”
Judge Dwyer demonstrated that truth for nearly three decades, and as a result, earned the respect of his colleagues.
“Judge Dwyer was one of a kind,” said Victor Town Justice Reid Holter. “Few lawyers or defendants who appeared in front of him will ever forget the experience. He commanded the highest respect for the court and for the justice it provides. He understood the power of a local judge to change lives and he always worked hard to exert the best possible influence over those who appeared in his Court.
“No lawyer worth his salt would appear before J. Dwyer unprepared,” said Holter, “and no one who did not wish to be excused from his courtroom would enter without first removing his cap.
“And yet, when I think of Judge Dwyer, I first think of his welcoming smile and that (somewhat mischievous) sparkle in his eye,” said Holter. “He was a good man and led a good life; he will be missed.”
Victor Court Clerk and Paralegal Terri Bolt became Judge Dwyer's court clerk in 1989.
“I had the great pleasure of working for him for 10 years before he retired in 1999,” said Bolt. “He was a firm but fair judge. He enjoyed serving as a director on the Board of the New York State Magistrates Association and was very supportive of the Court Clerks Association as well. For many of us he will always be remembered as Judge Dwyer. His boisterous ‘Hey!’ and great smile will be missed by all of us here at Victor Town Court and in the Unified Court System!”
Long before Victor Court Clerk Sue Ricci worked with Judge Dwyer, he performed her marriage ceremony, and also her son’s.
“He had a way of making everyone comfortable with his wit and compassion,” said Ricci. “Years later, when working with him, I saw the same uniqueness along with dispensing justice from the bench. His larger-than-life personality touched so many people and he will be sadly missed.”
Judge Dwyer was a man of principle as well.
Bob recalled the time in 1972 when his father was to receive a $1000 pay raise for his role as town judge — but since other town employees were being held to a 5.5 percent raise cap, accepted only $137.50 of it.
“Being in my position,” Judge Dwyer said in an interview at the time, “this was important to me. If everyone else must stay within the 5.5 percent pay increase limit, then so must I.”
The fisherman
As much as he loved being a town justice, Judge Dwyer was passionate about Trout Unlimited which (works for conservation, protection and the restoration of North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.)
He was also a master at fly fishing and fly-tying, and even developed his own website devoted to the subject.
The teacher
“He was a natural teacher — whether it was teaching school, fly fishing or fly tying,” said his youngest son.
And teach, he did. As a sub in Victor, Mr. Dwyer was always in high demand.
“Judge Dwyer was one of our regular substitute teachers,” said Victor Central School District Superintendent Dawn Santiago-Marullo, “and he was the head proctor during our AP exam administration. Our students and staff respected him very much — we all called him Judge Dwyer. He was also well-liked by students and staff because of his great sense of humor.”
“John Dwyer had a voice that sounded like thunder, but he had a heart of gold,” said Tom Turner, a former student and Victor resident. “There was such a sense of respect for Judge Dwyer, no one ever tried to pull (anything over) on him.”
“In a nutshell, he was a man of principal always,” said Bob Dwyer. “He was beyond reproach — you may not have agreed with him, but you respected his opinion and his thought process.”
