RIP James Williford: 1929 - 2019

Family Photo, courtesy of Edward L. Kelly Funeral home

**Updated Friday, 10 am with information about a reception following the burial

Legendary Schroon Laker James “Jim” Walter Williford passed away Wednesday July 10, 2019. He was 90 years old.

A mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10am Saturday July 20, 2019 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Schroon Lake, Interment will follow at the Severance Cemetery.**Please join Jim’s family after the burial at 65 Stowell Road.

Friends may call at the Edward L. Kelly Funeral 1019 US Rt.9, Schroon Lake, NY Friday evening July 19, 2019 from 6 pm - 8 pm.

From Jim’s official obit:

“Jim was predeceased by his parents, William Roy and Isabella (McCormick) Williford, son Douglas, brothers Bill, Bob, Roy, Tom and sister, Isabella Signorelli.

Jim was born in the Bronx, NY and moved to Schroon Lake, NY 1932. He graduated from Schroon Lake Central School in 1947. Jim was a Boy Scout, loved fishing and hunting, skiing and boy scout camporees where he always cooked for his fellow scouts. Jim caddied at the local golf course and worked as a line cook at the Terrace Restaurant which led him to complete a 2-year apprenticeship at the Waldorf Astoria Culinary School where he worked as a saucier for a year. He moved back to Schroon Lake where he married the love of his life, Jean Frances Stowell.

He was the Chairman of the Local Draft Board in Ticonderoga, and worked for the Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. Jim attended banking school at West Point and was particularly proud that he became an officer in the bank after one year and was given his own branch office in Schroon Lake. He retired from the bank after 20 years. Jim was Treasurer of the Schroon Lake C of C, two Cemetery Associations and the Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club. 

He and Jean developed Metcalf Acres Camp ground on Schroon River which they operated for 20 years before selling and becoming snowbirds. Jim was a devoted student of the Civil War and spent time sharing his knowledge with the Schroon Lake school children. Jim and Jean moved to the Rochester area in 2009 for health reasons and to be closer to family.

Jim is survived by his wife Jean, his daughter Denise Brown of Sterling Va. son Dr. Daniel (Jacqueline) Williford of Pittsford, NY,  grandchildren Dr.SaraWilliford (Dr. Matt Kenndy) of Bedford, MA, Andrew Bearce of Sterling, VA,  Daniel Williford Esq. (Stephanie) of Fairport, NY, Derek Brown of Herndon, Va., and his great grandchildren, EJ Kennedy and Luca Kennedy  Connor Williford, and Chase Williford, his sisters-in-law Betty Williford and Frances Williford of Schroon Lake and brother-in-law Sam Signorelli of Rochester, NY.

Jim requested that memorials take the form of donations to the Schroon North Hudson Historical Society, Schroon Lake, NY 12870 or the charity of his/her choice. Jim was especially grateful for the friendship of his extended family, and caregivers at St. John’s Meadows where he and Jean lived for the past 10 years. Special thanks to his physician caregivers, Drs. Diego Cahn-Hidalgo, George Pancio, Adam Doyle and Richard Wing”.