![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dagonfuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/James-Gleason-Photo.PNG.jpg.png\")
James L. \u201cJimmy\u201d Gleason \u2013 84 \u2013 of 6 Sheldon Court, Hornell, died Friday afternoon (May 22, 2020) following a long illness.<\/p>\nJames L. \u201cJimmy\u201d Gleason \u2013 84 \u2013 of 6 Sheldon Court, Hornell, died Friday afternoon (May 22, 2020) following a long illness.<\/p>\n
Born in Hornell on April 6, 1936, he was the son of James & Mildred (Hyland) Gleason.<\/p>\n
Jimmy grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann\u2019s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1954).<\/p>\n
Following high school graduation, he began a 50 year career working for the railroad.\u00a0 Through the years Jimmy worked in many capacities for the Erie Railroad, Erie Lackawanna Railroad, Conrail and CSX Railroad, the final 30 years as an engineer, retiring in July, 2005.\u00a0 During those 50 years with the railroad, he also served the City of Hornell as a Call Fireman and as a Hornell Ambulance driver, continuing his service to the Hornell community until he was nearly 80 years old!<\/p>\n
Jim was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and had been a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church and later St. Ann\u2019s Church.\u00a0 He had been a member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus, the Hornell American Legion, the G. Carducci Lodge (Sons of Italy), the Hornell Association and the Hornell AMVETS.<\/p>\n
An avid golfer, Jimmy played numerous rounds of golf at Twin Hickory Golf Club and was a member of the Hornell Golf Club.\u00a0 In his younger years he enjoyed hunting, especially deer hunting and quail hunting.\u00a0 He loved rooting for the New York Yankees and also watching football on TV.\u00a0 Jimmy had a special relationship with his granddaughter, Anna Updyke.\u00a0 He attended all of her sporting events and truely was her \u201cBiggest Fan.\u201d<\/p>\n
A true & loyal \u201cFamily Man\u201d, Jimmy was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather & uncle.\u00a0 He will be remembered for his easy-going personality and his ever-present smile.\u00a0 To know him was to love him!!\u00a0 He will be sadly missed by his loving family and countless friends!!<\/p>\n
Jimmy was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Meghan Elizabeth Gleason who died in 1972; 2 sisters, Eileen Connors and Ann Smith; and his nephew, Trooper Larry Gleason.<\/p>\n
He was married on July 19, 1969 to the former Linda Smith who survives.\u00a0 Also surviving are 2 daughters, Bridget (Steve) Minisce of Raleigh, NC and Kate (Chris) Secondo of Hornell; his son, Tim Gleason of Ft. Myers, FL; his brother, Larry (Rosemary) Gleason of Canandaigua, NY; his grandchildren, Anna Updyke and Scotty Minisce; several nieces & nephews.<\/p>\n
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there will be no calling hours.\u00a0 A private graveside service for immediate family will be held at St. Mary\u2019s Cemetery with Fr. Stan Kacprzak officiating.\u00a0 A Memorial Mass along with a \u201cCelebration of Life\u201d will be held at a later date.<\/p>\n