It was somewhere about this time that he found out he had cancer, having already lost his mother and a brother to the same disease. After initial treatment, the cancer temporarily went into remission and the hobby of metal detecting he so loved gave him the physiological therapy to continue on.

It was during this time that he discovered Camp Good Days & Special Times (an organization that sends kids with cancer to camp) and brought it to the attention of the club. Because of his own battle with cancer, he pushed for our club to sponsor this group through members’ donations and a large annual contribution which we continue today.

In the January 2002 issue of the EARTH club’s newsletter “Searchers along the Mohawk” John wrote a farewell letter which read in part, “After hours and hours of heart-wrenching thought, I have come to the decision to step down as club president effective after the March meeting. With my continuing failing health, I’m holding the club back from growing. That is the last thing I want; the club has come so far and I want it to go as far as it can. So for these reasons, with a very heavy heart, I make this decision.”

John passed away the very next month at age 53. As a tribute, the club voted unanimously to name the annual end of the season picnic/hunt “The John Seamon Memorial Picnic.”