John Vogt

"I Fix Stuff and I Know Things. Thats Who I Am". If you had the pleasure of seeing that hat or maybe the "OLD GUYS RULE" hats on the head adorned with long curly silver and white locks then you had the undeniable pleasure of knowing a truly great man. John Vogt left this world suddenly and too soon, on Sunday September 8, 2024 at his home in Kenmore, NY that he shared with wife Ellen. John was known for his intelligence and quick wit. He called it like he saw it; whether you wanted to hear it or not, and his expansive vocabulary could be used with a sharp tongue or a soft hand. John was born a Kenmoron in October of 1958 to the late John H. "Pete" Vogt and Virginia LoTempio Vogt. Sister Sue was already running around when John arrived and soon followed brother Peter, sister Vicki, sister Virginia (Ginger) and brother Michael. With that many people in one house no wonder John was efficient, directive, and held a strong love for family. John attended Kenmore West High School, or should we say he sometimes went to class there when he wasnt hanging out in the lilacs with friends during the day or making loads of memories after the bell rang. John had straight As and was a member of the drum line with the Royal Coachmen Drum and Bugle Corps. He made many lifelong friends that he still spoke with regularly. After graduating, John took some time to travel the states. Sometimes solo, sometimes with his brother Peter, David Laufer and their crew. He saw live shows and visited great American distilleries. John spent some time in Arizona before landing back in Kenmore which would be his forever home. He did however keep his 1" square plot of land at the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, TN and was a lifelong member of the Tennessee Squires. Back in Kenmore, John became a father to the first two loves of his life, daughter Tara Irlbacher-Ward and son Andrew Irlbacher. John stayed very busy as a single dad. He started a flooring business with Paul Hoffman and operated it successfully for many years. He often found very interesting items that were long forgotten when removing and replacing flooring in the old pre-war-era apartment complexes in and around Buffalo. He said those years are what helped kindle his love of finding cool stuff, collecting cooler stuff and fixing things. While raising Andrew he could often be found as the acting room parent and spent several years as a fierce advocate for childrens educational rights as a board member of SEPTA. Always dependable, prepared and with an eye to the future, John enrolled in Buffalo State College where he earned his Masters Degree in Education and he soon became a teacher. John knew from day one he wanted to teach Industrial Arts & Technology and he spent over 20 years with Orleans/Niagara BOCES in various roles; most of those as the Industrial Technology teacher at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center in Sanborn, NY. John shared his love of tools, cool stuff and fixing things with hundreds of WNY students, many of whom yell "HEY VOGT" wherever and whenever they saw him in the community. Whether he was teaching the students to build planters for the school grounds, design birthday gifts for their loved ones, help make and sell cancer awareness ornaments to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Cure Foundation. One thing is certain; John made a lasting impression on all the faculty, staff, students and families who were lucky enough to know him over the years. John had a "practice" retirement in 2021 due to covid and achieved his planned retirement in June of 2023. Everyone knew John as an amazing chef and baker, but he liked to call himself a catering logistical wizard. He spent his evenings and weekends for many years learning, leading and laughing at Hoagie Brothers and with the Bob and Beth of Alt Fine Foods. John helped to create, prepare and deliver memorable experiences to many families in Canada, WNY and Central NY for Bills Games, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings and more. John met the true love of his life, Ellen, while operating as a logistical wizard, proving there is a perfect match for everyone in the world. John and Ellen were inseparable for much of the last 10 years, finally making it official with an intimate wedding ceremony on August 11, 2024 in Kenmore surrounded by their closest family and friends. Together they visited 36 states and four countries, every step an exploration in gastronomic adventure. When they werent traveling they could be found at estate sales picking up unique things for their house projects or searching for pieces John lovingly restored. Whether watching football, playing (or attempting) rounds of golf, driving to nowhere or getting spring water from Ridgway, PA, you would rarely see one without the other. John was forever the educator, teaching his step-children Frank, Tori and DJ all kinds of life skills from baking his family cookies to pouring concrete and changing their tires or oil on their own. Structure and discipline were ingrained in John who later learned to take life in stride. He was able to meet and create a strong bond with his "new" older brother Patrick Kerr and his wife Ann. He truly enjoyed talking to siblings and even though he refused to have social media accounts he loved to keep up with all the nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews through Ellens feeds. Johns family invites you to join them for a remembrance ceremony on Saturday September 21, 2024 from 10am-12pm at Lombardo Funeral Home (Northtowns Chapel), 885 Niagara Falls Blvd. (near Eggert/ Sheridan Dr.). Sharing of memories will begin at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Roswell Park Patient Resource Center. Click the link to make a donation. Loving husband of Ellen Tucker-Vogt; devoted father of Andrew Irlbacher, Tara (Russ Ward) Irlbacher-Ward; adored stepfather of Frank, Tori and D.J. Tucker; loving son of the late John H. 'Pete' and Virginia (nee Lotempio) Vogt; dear brother of Patrick (Ann) Kerr, Suzanne (Late Charles) Bensch, the late Peter C. (Karen) Vogt, Vicki Colman, Virginia 'Ginger' Vogt, and Michael Vogt (Pamela Vine). Condolences may be made at www.lombardofuneralhome.com.