Hyde Park, NY- John "Jack" Helmer, age 93, passed away on Thursday November 18th at Vassar Brother Hospital.  Born on May 20, 1928, in Poughkeepsie, NY, Jack was the only son born to Edna A. Donnelly and William E. "Bill" Helmer.  Jack was a 1946 graduate of Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park, NY, where he met his wife, the late Janice M. Goth. They were married at Our Lady of the Rosary on the grounds of Hudson River State Hospital on September 10, 1950. They celebrated their 70th year wedding anniversary on September 10th with family and friends at their family home in Hyde Park.  Jack served two years in the US Navy as a Seaman First Class and received his honorable discharge in April 1948. His tour of duty was aboard the destroyer USS Waldron where Jack earned the honorable distinction as a "Tin Can Sailor".        A 1952 graduate of the Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing, Jack worked as a psychiatric nurse for 36 years, retiring in 1988.  Jack was known as "the doctor" to family, friends and neighbors who came by for diagnosis of minor ailments, chronic health issues or needing stitches removed.  For thirty years, six days a week, weather permitting, Jack and his wife Jan could be found walking the grounds of Vanderbilt's, where they would make many new friends.    Jack is survived by his four children, Gail O'Neil and husband, Bill, of Poughkeepsie; Jacquelyn Valenta and husband, Bill, of Tucson AZ; David Helmer and wife, Alison, of Rhinebeck; and Thomas Helmer and wife, Chris, of Round Rock, TX; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Joan Sclafani, of Hilton Head Island, SC, and many nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents and wife, Jack is predeceased by his two sisters, Mary Podolak and Rita Donnelly.  There will be no calling hours, but a Celebration of his Life will take place at 11 AM on Tuesday November 30th in the Community Mausoleum Chapel at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Ave, Poughkeepsie.  To send an online condolence or view the recorded service, please visit Jack's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com .