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Obituary for James Harwood Gifford

Gansevoort
James Harwood Gifford, 79, of Gansevoort passed away on March 2, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at The Stanton Nursing Home.

Born in Hudson Falls, on July 24, 1935, he was the son of the late Elmer and Madeline (Smith) Gifford, and the second youngest of five children.

James graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1954. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1954 to 1958. He also spent time as a military policeman during his four year enlistment.

On September 9, 1961, James married the love of his life Anne (Lohret) Gifford at St. Alphonsus Church, with the, Monsignor LeDuc, officiating.

He was a communicant of St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls, as well as a member of the Rev. Robert A. Nugent Council, Knights of Columbus 11160.

James was employed with Central Market, which later became Price Chopper, as a senior in high school, and later returned to work for them after his years of service had ended. He was an employee with Price Chopper until 2007.

James enjoyed activities such as camping in Canada, chair caning, refurbishing antiques, playing guitar, and singing. He was also a member of the church choir and would spend time singing at local nursing homes, as well as devoting his time as a Boy Scout leader. He loved sports; especially the Dallas Cowboys and he never missed a game. He coached his three sons in little league baseball, as well as his daughters’ softball team and, he coached soccer alongside his daughter.

Besides his parents, James is predeceased by his infant son, James Gifford.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Anne (Lohret) Gifford, of Gansevoort; his daughter, Lisa Rabideau and her husband Scott, of Lenoir, NC; his son David Gifford and his wife Barbara, of South Glens Falls; his daughter, Catherine Skellie and her husband James, of South Glens Falls; his daughter, Janice Middleton and her husband Corky, of South Glens Falls; his son, Craig Gifford and his wife Doris, of Gansevoort; his son Andrew Gifford, of Gansevoort; his sister, Jean Wade and her husband Mo, of Poultney, VT; his brother, Elmer Gifford and his wife Dorothy, of South Glens Falls; his sister, Patricia Bruce and her husband Clifford, of Lake George; and his sister Joyce Mattison and her husband Earl, of Fort Ann. He is also affectionately known as “Bepa” by many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday March 5, 2015 from 4-6p.m. at M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home 136 Main Street, South Glens Falls, NY 12803. To leave online condolences or to view James’s Book of Memories, please visit kilmerfuneralhome.com.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday March 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Ave. South Glens Falls, NY 12803, with the Rev. Guy A. Childs, Pastor, officiating.

A Rite of Committal will be conducted at 11am on Friday May 29, 2015 at St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Queensbury.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. David Foote and office staff, the nurses and doctors at The Stanton Nursing Home, and James’s health aid, Judy Merkly, for their exceptional care and commitment.

Memorial donations in James’s name can be made to St. Michael the Archangel Bereavement Committee, 80 Saratoga Ave. South Glens Falls, NY 12803; the South Glens Falls Marathon Dance, 6 Bluebird Road South Glens Falls, NY 12803; and to St. Mary’s St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School, 10 Church St. Glens Falls, NY 12801.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Harwood Gifford, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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