1934
James
2023
James Stephenson
September 9, 1934 — January 4, 2023
James Allen Stephenson, age 88, formerly of Bloomingdale and currently of Saranac Lake, died Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at his home with his loving wife by his side.
Born in Bloomingdale, New York on September 9, 1934, he was the son of William and Daisy (Brown) Stephenson, Sr.
James married Nancy Hennessy on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2001, in Lake Placid. Jim and Nancy were together for 36 years and married for 21 years.
Jim attended Bloomingdale schools and graduated from Saranac Lake High School. Following graduation, he worked as a long-time employee of 18 years for Norman’s Wholesale Grocery, and then Nabisco Inc. for 20 years as a salesman, often referred to as the “cookie man”. After retiring, he was a driver for St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, Uihlein Mercy Center, and Kinney Drugs. Jim is a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Big Red One Infantry from 1957 to 1959. He was active in the Bloomingdale Fire Department for many years serving as Assistant, then later becoming Fire Chief. He was an avid baseball fan, coaching the Bloomingdale Little League and playing in the adult Bloomingdale B’s League. A huge New York Yankee, Ranger’s and Giant’s fan. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, feeding his chipmunks and taking many trips to Minerva. He had a warm personality, a fun-loving Irish humor and a language all his own.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Hennessy Stephenson of Saranac Lake, one son Sean (Lisa) Stephenson of Ocean City, MD, two daughters Diahann Hesler of Ithaca, NY and Darcy (Sam) Stephenson of Hypoluxo, FL, two stepdaughters Anita (Bill) Wilson of Saranac Lake, and Renee Colby of Bloomingdale, one stepson Ronald Fina of Boones Mill, VA, one brother Roger Stephenson of Bloomingdale, grandchildren (Jade, Rae, Ari, Owen, Gabe, Dillon, Kylar, Will, Addyson, Olivia and Jae), many nieces, nephews, sisters and brother-laws. Jim was previously married to Sally Burrell on August 31st, 1963, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomingdale.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, three brothers Albert “Buddy”, William Jr., and Robert Stephenson and two sisters Betty Rork, and Harriet Limpert.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A graveside service with fireman and military honors will take place in the spring at Brookside Cemetery in Bloomingdale.
Friends wishing to remember James Allen Stephenson may make memorial contributions to the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department or the High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
Born in Bloomingdale, New York on September 9, 1934, he was the son of William and Daisy (Brown) Stephenson, Sr.
James married Nancy Hennessy on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2001, in Lake Placid. Jim and Nancy were together for 36 years and married for 21 years.
Jim attended Bloomingdale schools and graduated from Saranac Lake High School. Following graduation, he worked as a long-time employee of 18 years for Norman’s Wholesale Grocery, and then Nabisco Inc. for 20 years as a salesman, often referred to as the “cookie man”. After retiring, he was a driver for St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, Uihlein Mercy Center, and Kinney Drugs. Jim is a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Big Red One Infantry from 1957 to 1959. He was active in the Bloomingdale Fire Department for many years serving as Assistant, then later becoming Fire Chief. He was an avid baseball fan, coaching the Bloomingdale Little League and playing in the adult Bloomingdale B’s League. A huge New York Yankee, Ranger’s and Giant’s fan. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, feeding his chipmunks and taking many trips to Minerva. He had a warm personality, a fun-loving Irish humor and a language all his own.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Hennessy Stephenson of Saranac Lake, one son Sean (Lisa) Stephenson of Ocean City, MD, two daughters Diahann Hesler of Ithaca, NY and Darcy (Sam) Stephenson of Hypoluxo, FL, two stepdaughters Anita (Bill) Wilson of Saranac Lake, and Renee Colby of Bloomingdale, one stepson Ronald Fina of Boones Mill, VA, one brother Roger Stephenson of Bloomingdale, grandchildren (Jade, Rae, Ari, Owen, Gabe, Dillon, Kylar, Will, Addyson, Olivia and Jae), many nieces, nephews, sisters and brother-laws. Jim was previously married to Sally Burrell on August 31st, 1963, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomingdale.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, three brothers Albert “Buddy”, William Jr., and Robert Stephenson and two sisters Betty Rork, and Harriet Limpert.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A graveside service with fireman and military honors will take place in the spring at Brookside Cemetery in Bloomingdale.
Friends wishing to remember James Allen Stephenson may make memorial contributions to the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department or the High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Stephenson, please visit our flower store.
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