James M. “Jim” Perry – 58 – of 692 Call Hill Rd., Andover, NY (Town of Hartsville), died suddenly Monday evening (March 6, 2017) at his home due to heart complications.
Born in Hornell on May 21, 1958, he was the son of Carl & Anna (Brown) Perry. He grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (Class of 1976).
Jim never missed a day of work. He was well known for his “work ethic” and ability to solve the most complex problems. He attributed these abilities to his left handedness. A trait he proudly shares with his two youngest, Westin and Teegan. In his youth, he served as a paper boy for the Hornell Evening Tribune, delivering newspapers for 12 years throughout the 5th Ward (“The Bloody 5th”). Following high school graduation, he was employed for several years at Gunlocke Corporation in Wayland. For over 30 years he was employed as a “Jack of All Trades” at General Electric, Conrail, Morrison-Knudson (MK) and Alstom Corporation, working as a mechanic, welder and in the fabrication department. For the past six years he was employed at National Fuel as a station operation mechanic. Jim also worked as a pyro-technician for Young Explosives for 10 years, orchestrating numerous, local fireworks shows.
For 10 years, Jim served as a Town Council Member for the Town of Hartsville. He was a strong opponent of the Hartsville Wind Project and was not afraid to voice his opinion. His strong support of the town’s interest never wavered. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and working with his hands. Jim spent countless hours tending the family property they call “Perrydise”. For over 30 years, Jim greatly enjoyed hosting family and friends to their annual pond party. His gardens and orchards were bountiful and he took great pride in nurturing them. He also grew flowers & vegetables and made his own apple cider. Occasionally, Jim enjoyed hunting and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Jim was a member of the former St. Ignatius Loyola Church, and most recently attended Our Lady of the Valley Parish at St. Ann’s Church.
Jim loved his family greatly. He was married on July 4, 1998 to the former Melinda “Mindy” Yates who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Myriah Perry of Hornell and Teegan Perry at home; 2 sons, Corbin Perry of Hornell and Westin Perry at home; 1 brother, Joseph (Taresa) Perry of Brockport; 1 sister, Kathleen “Kathy” (Eric) Burton of Addison; several nieces, nephews & in-laws.
The family of James M. “Jim” Perry will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church.
Jim’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to Boy Scouts of America, Five Rivers Council, 244 West Water St., Elmira, NY 14901 or to Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a memorial form.
A good guy who always tried to do the right thing. Will be missed by all. R I P Jim.
How sad I was to hear about Jim’s passing. Jim was a wonderful man and he will be sadly missed, by all who knew him, especially by all his former Lincoln School classmates. As part of The Bloody 5th ward….our memories of you will never be forgotten. Prayers to Mindy and family.
My condolences
Mindy:
We will always remember how much fun we had on the Buffalo Bills/Miami Dolphins trip when we first met you and Jim.
Our prayers are with you and the kids as we know he will be sadly missed by all.
Jim was a truly a valued friend in the Bloody Fifth as referenced in his write up and a fun comrade back in the Lincoln School days. He was always eager to participate in the things of youth such as fishing, bike riding, river swimming, snowball battles and neighborhood sports. One of the favorite swimming holes we frequented was in the Canisteo River, north of Canisteo, south of the bridge which crosses the river before coming into that town below Bell Haven. I have thought about Jim every time I have driven past it over the past 40 years with fond memories.
One quality he possessed was his gentle spirit and calm demeanor with a keen ability to defuse tense situations. Though our lives went in different directions, I will not forget him.
Godspeed to his family and loved ones in getting through this difficult time.
Dear Perry family,
I worked with Jim way back in the days at GE. Any time in the years following, it was always a better day after bumping into Jim here or there.
This saddness you feel will get better with time as you remember all the wonderful times you spent together. There is no doubt he left you with a treasure trove of great memories. That’s the kind of guy he was.
RIP Slim Jim….. You are one of the good ones!
Dan Flaitz
Mindy and family…So very sorry for your loss.
RIP Jim.
Dear Mindy and family,
My fondest memory of Jim and your family was at your beautiful home. It was our exchange program orientation. The kids were enjoying the pond. Host parents of the exchange students were with Jim in the garden. Jim was so generous to share the vegetables of his labor as well as that of the family. He had said “take what you like from the garden.” It was also a truly wonderful day of getting to know each other. Jim and your family will be remembered for your kindness toward others. My prayers goes up for all of you mourning the passing of a husband, father, family member, and friend.
I have never met a more caring man, he gave his all always no matter what he did.He was so proud of Hartsville and he did his best all these years to speak up for all residents. Once a resident needed a roof on a empty so after work he put one on alone and supplied the ten. He would take his time with who ever to explain any subject.Our sadness will be less in time but will never go away. He has left a wonderful wife and children. God Bless you ,Jim your on a great voyage take Gods hand.
How do we take measure of a man? You look at what his heart holds dear….His family was his top priority, but he always had time for his friends and neighbors…..He had a giving and loving heart, that embraced and touched anyone who had the pleasure of his time and company…. An honest, caring man who worked tirelessly for his family, his friends, our town, and all of its residents. He fought to protect us all from harm and to help keep our way of life intact.. He loved his home in our quiet rural town and provided a lovely home for his family to live in and enjoy. He sought to keep and protect his home and our town from being drastically changed…..His hard work and dedication was ever evident and on display from his lovely family, his daily job, to his town board membership, to the pride in his own home…From his heart to his soul he was a good man through and through. A heart of gold and a great moral character so defined this man, Jim Perry. He was a giver and never a taker, a worrier and a fixer, he just plain cared about everyone….He was always available to hear joys and concerns alike….He comforted in times of sorrow and he laughed with joy when everything was going well….Jim was a special man, an exceptional man. Our tears will flow and our hearts hold memories never to be forgotten but that we should share freely… We will grieve and mourn, but we should celebrate the fact that he was even a small part in the lives he touched, and his loss will be felt deeply for a long long time… Our town of Hartsville has lost a good, honest, hardworking man, who was a good father, great friend and neighbor and a moral upstanding resident of our town. A more loving, kind, honest and caring man you could never meet. He gave fully of himself everyday to everyone, no matter the situation. May he rest in peace and may we all hope to honor him by living our lives as Jim lived his…..with all his heart and determination in everything. He gave his all to the end of his last breath….God bless and God’s speed, to a true renaissance man.
I was very sorry to learn of Jim’s untimely passing. I’m glad that I had opportunity to chat with him at our Class of 1976 Reunion last summer. My condolences to his family.