The Livingston County community is mourning the loss of former Board of Supervisors member John “Pete” Yendell, who died peacefully on Sept. 27 at the age of 80.
Yendell, a lifelong public servant, was a central figure in Lima for decades. He served as mayor from 1984 to 2001, then as town supervisor from 2002 to 2017. A member of the Lima Fire Department for over 45 years, Yendell was instrumental in several key projects during his tenure as town supervisor, including the expansion of public water from Rochester to the Village of Lima and the reconstruction of Route 5&20, a project he partnered on with then Assemblyman Richard Wesley.
“Pete was deeply committed to his community,” said David LeFeber, chair of the Livingston County Board of Supervisors. “His leadership, vision, and tireless efforts shaped not only Lima but all of Livingston County. His dedication to fiscal responsibility and community development will leave a lasting impact. Pete’s passing is a tremendous loss, but his legacy will continue to inspire us.”
During his time on the Livingston County Board of Supervisors, Yendell chaired several key committees, including ways and means, finance and administration, and human services. He also served on the public services committee and the county’s Board of Health.
A graduate of Honeoye Falls Central School and the New York State Association of Counties’ Pelletier Institute, Yendell was inducted into the Honeoye Falls-Lima Hall of Fame in 1999. He worked at Eastman Kodak for 39 years in labor relations and public policy before retiring.
Yendell’s family will host a celebration of his life on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fanatics Pub in Lima. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in his memory.
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