White Plains, NY - John Blake Kirkpatrick, 79, a 49-year resident of White Plains, died peacefully on Saturday, November 11 at his home. John was born March 2, 1944, in Montgomery, Alabama to Margaret Blake and Robert Frederick Kirkpatrick. He was a devoted family man and leaves his wife Susan, daughter Kathryn (Jon Vail), sons Andrew (Katie Taylor) and Brian, and grandchildren Dashiell and Violet. In addition, John is survived by his brother Robert and six nieces and nephews.
John graduated from Sydney Lanier High School in Montgomery in 1962. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1966, his Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University in 1975, and his Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law in 1979. John served in the US Army from 1966 to 1970 as an Arabic linguist spending over a year in Ethiopia. As a city planner and land use lawyer for almost 50 years, John prepared and advised business, community, and municipal clients on environmental, zoning, and site plan applications. John maintained lasting friendships with his classmates and colleagues throughout his life.
John was dedicated to the City of White Plains and Westchester County. He participated in two rounds of Comprehensive Plan revisions as a citizen and prepared revisions to the Zoning Ordinance as a consultant. Advising the White Plains Board of Education, he assisted in selecting the right developer for the former Battle Hill School. John was respected throughout Westchester County as a knowledgeable planning and legal professional whose patient approach to differing views helped resolve many development conflicts. His lifelong service to this community included nine years on the City Council and two years on the Planning Board. He served twenty years on the Board of the Westchester Parks Foundation, and also as a board member of Madison House/Community Innovations and Meals on Wheels. John was a member of the Rotary Club, White Plains Beautification Foundation, and many other community organizations.
A Memorial Service will be planned for a later date.
Donations may be made in John’s memory to the Westchester County Parks Foundation.
https://www.mcmahonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/John-Blake-Kirkpatrick?obId=29891787