NEW BERLIN – In the seasonal spirit of good will to men, New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter's family has always focused on service. Potter's father, Gary Potter, started this legacy of service back in the 60s, when he joined the Navy, and it has continued for three generations.
Gary, 72, was born and raised in New Berlin. He graduated from New Berlin Central School and joined the Navy right out of high school. He was in the Navy from 1964 to 1967.
The Navy vet said he was always interested in joining the Navy, and he is not the first person in his family to join the service. “My great grandfather was actually a Civil War veteran, which I am very proud of,” said Gary.
Gary worked for the flag office and was in charge of sending newsletters and other communications from the command center to the fleet.
“I lived right on the base. The best thing I ever did in my life was join the Navy,” said Gary. “It's the only time I ever left New Berlin.”
While Gary was stationed at Pear Harbor in Hawaii, he met his late wife, Pearlisa “Teddy” Potter. They were married in 1966 and moved to New Berlin to start a family.
“The part I remember most is meeting my wife. Terry takes after his mother,” said Gary.
Gary said he wanted to raise his family in the small town atmosphere. He felt New Berlin was the right place to raise children.
Gary and his wife had three boys: Terry, Duane and Jody, who he said were “all successful.” Gary was on the school board back when his boys were attending school in New Berlin, and he gave each of them their high school diploma when they graduated.
Terry became mayor of New Berlin, serving the community. Duane works at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City and offers service in health care, like his mother. Jody followed in his father's footsteps, as the second generation to join the Navy.
“Terry, Duane and I went down to Norfolk, Va. to attend Jody's retirement ceremony. He served in the Navy 26 years, and he went right back to work at the base, where his wife also works,” said Gary.
Jody Potter, 44, was also born and raised in New Berlin and graduated from New Berlin Central School. Like his father, at 18-years-old he joined the Navy and left his hometown to go attend boot camp near Chicago.
“I retired from the Navy back in September. I wanted to join because my dad had always talked about the Navy when I was growing up,” said Jody.
Jody was part of the Retirement Ceremony this year at the largest naval station in Norfolk, Va. He had been in the Navy since Sept. of 1988.
He was stationed at the Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 12. “I was an aviation electrician,” said Potter.
Jody was promoted to Chief Officer in 2003, then Senior Chief in 2008.
“I developed a good work ethic growing up in New Berlin. I worked for the Department of Public Works; Terry also worked there. I did road work, garbage collection, that type of stuff,” said Jody.
Jody said he enjoyed the small community and he tries to visit at least twice a year. He recently visited his father Gary during hunting season before it ended in December. They look forward to hunting together for a week every year.
“I am never in a hurry when I am up there. That is the thing I like about it,” said Jody.
Jody said his father was the biggest influence on his life growing up. He also said his own son, who is now 20 years old, followed in both their footsteps.
“He always knew he was going into the Navy, just like me,” said Jody.
Nathan Potter also joined the Navy when he was 18 years old and trained at the boot camp in Illinois. He is part of the “Jolly Rogers” Strike Fighter Squadron 103, stationed at the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va.
Nathan makes three generations of Potter service in the Navy, not to mention the other types of service exemplified in the Potter family.
“It all started in New Berlin with my father,” said Jody.
Gary's legacy of service lives on in his sons and grandchildren, and he said he is proud of all they have accomplished.