John K. Rand

John was the son of Jay Rand, Sr. and Eileen Rand of Lake Placid. John grew up in Lake Placid and attended the Lake Placid High School and Northwood School. During this time, he was noted as a gifted athlete and participated in ski racing, ski jumping and played on the first-ever Lake Placid varsity soccer team. Upon graduation, as a standout athlete, he was awarded scholarships for both skiing and soccer at several universities.

During his residency in Lake Placid, he worked summers during the 1970s as a lifeguard at the Lake Placid Public Beach. While later working full time, he was employed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) at both the Olympic Jumping Complex (OJC) and Mount Van Hoevenberg (MVH). Among other services performed, he jumped the 90-meter ski jump for bus tours during summer and winter seasons. While at MVH he worked as a bobsled driver, taking public down the 1932 Olympic Run. He later started his own window washing business, and it was often said that he had “the cleanest windows ever.”

John was perhaps best known for his great sense of humor and love of his family and friends, who he enjoyed playing golf with at Craig Wood.

He was together with his wife Terry for 30 years, and had a special love for his granddaughter Karra, who spent most of her life with him and his dog Sophie. In addition to golf, he had a special love for animals.

He is survived by family members: Three step children, Walter McLean, Matt Hathaway, Shannon Preston; nine step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jay and Steve Rand; and three sisters Judy Scammell, Barbara Ryan and Mary Farr and families.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. followed by a burial at Saint Agnes Cemetery. Rev. Paul Kelly will officiate. A reception will be held at Craig Wood Golf Course Club House from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for family and friends. The M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a story or leave condolences for the Rand family.

Contributions may be sent to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Saranac Lake in his memory.