Max A. Tessmer II

Max A. Tessmer II celebrated his 64th birthday in the loving embrace of his Lord, Jesus Christ. Max passed away on December 20, 2024 at Upstate Medical in Syracuse, after a lifetime of dedicated service and love to God and mankind.

Max was born on December 20, 1960 in Gouverneur, NY to Max E. and Vivian E. (Orford) Tessmer. He graduated from Gouverneur Central School in 1979 and then went on and received his BS degree in Agricultural Engineering from Cornell University. 

Max was a lifelong dairy farmer, owning and operating the family farm, Tessacres Farms. Mack was very active in several local churches and bible studies and was active in Prison Ministry for a time. He had a strong love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at Chub Lake on the family farm. He treasured playing volleyball, playing cards and games with his family and friends and was an aspiring guitar player. 

Surviving are his mother, Vivian; a son, Max E. (Brooke) Tessmer II; four daughters, Gretchen Tessmer, Heidi (Doug) Turner, Olivia Tessmer and Annie Tessmer; the mother of his five children, Jacqueline Tessmer; four sisters, Bethany Northrup, Cynthia (Robert) Angyal, Belinda Tessmer and Melissa Tessmer; close friends Judd and Courtney Foote, and their four children that he regarded as family; an aunt, Dorothy Orford; an uncle, Stan (Joanne) Orford; a niece and several nephews and several cousins and his beloved dog, Tyr. Max is predeceased by his father, Max E. Tessmer.

There will be calling hours for Max on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and on Saturday, December 28th from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur, with a Celebration of Life immediately following on Saturday, December 28th at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that in recognition of Max’s generous and giving heart, to please feel free to pay it forward to those who are in need.