John and Carol Green, of Spencerport, met in Johnstown, NY, where they became high school sweethearts. They married 65 years ago, on July 12, 1958, in Carol’s family Baptist church. Carol was a concert violinist and played first chair in the Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra. John served in the Army and National Guard from 1955 to 1964 and was based out of Fort Drum.
The couple moved to the Rochester area after their good friends relocated here. John got hired at Kodak as a machinist and spent his career there. The Greens purchased their home in Spencerport in 1968. At the time, the area was very rural with cow pastures surrounding the property. “We had a mammoth garden that Dad would use his father’s Gravely Tractor to rototill,” recalls their daughter, Brenda Green.
The Greens had three children, and Carol was a stay-at-home mom until they became school-aged. She then worked part-time at Sears and Roebuck at Longridge Mall where she could be found in the candy department, especially at Easter time making Easter baskets for children.
When reflecting on her parents’ 65 years of life together, Brenda said, “God was always the center of our life and home.”
Shortly after moving to western Monroe County, the Greens became very active at First Bible Baptist Church. They first attended in December 1966 when the church was in the Greece Town Hall. This was the beginning of their lifelong involvement, fellowship, and dedication to the church community. The Greens helped with all three new church buildings since 1966, both physically and financially. They were also very involved with the summer camp called Circle 7 Ranch where John would use his military training and help teach gun lessons. The couple served at AWANA kids clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, driving the church bus to events as well as mission trips and serving in concessions at Grace & Truth SportsPark.
Carol and John Green are in their mid and upper eighties, but that does not stop them from showing their affection for one another and their patriotism, while being active in doing the things they love and serving others. Carol still plays the violin and gardens. She also bakes her husband his favorite pie every Saturday. John continues to take care of his property at their Spencerport homestead and loves feeding the birds. “Dad is in charge of the laundry; he is the laundry master,” chuckled Brenda.
The family celebrated the couple’s anniversary on July 4. But where might you find them on their actual 65th wedding anniversary? Working concessions and serving others at Grace & Truth SportsPark, of course.
Provided photos
