James Wray Kearns

FORT EDWARD – James Wray Kearns, 98, of Bradley Ave., went into the arms of the Lord and his beloved Genevieve, on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Glens Falls Hospital. 

Born on March 29, 1915, in Syracuse, he was the son of the late John and Leona (Wray) Kearns.

 Jim was a 1934 graduate of Central High School and a star forward on the Centinary Methodist Church basketball team, both in Syracuse.  After high school, Jim attended Lincoln Welding School, graduating in 1935.  He then worked for Allied Chemical and Dye (Solvay) in their apprentice training program and also completed the Foreman Ship Training Program. 

In 1940, he became a welding instructor for the National Youth Administration and eventually became a Regional Supervisor, covering all of New York State and the New England States.   Jim was a decorated Veteran, enlisting in the US Navy, where he taught welding and was a US Navy Shipfitter First Class. He was stationed in the European Theater during WWII and in 1946, received an Honorable Discharge.

Jim married the love of his life, Genevieve (Passineau) DuPell, on August 4, 1949, embarking on a forty-five year journey of love and devotion with his Gen.

He was a sixty-seven year member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #773, working for many companies throughout the United States and the world, including Turkey, Greenland, Mexico and South America.  He was also self-employed for many years.

Jim was a lifelong learner, earning degrees from California Poly Institute, ICS Correspondence School in Pennsylvania, Lincoln Welding School, General Electric Welding School, Oswego Extension Center in Albany, State University College at Oswego, Adirondack Community College and Purdue University. 

Jim obtained his NYS Public School teaching certification in metal trades (welding and fabrication) and his adult education teaching certification.  He went to work for the Warren Washington BOCES in 1966 where he combined his love of teaching and his desire to help both youths and adults.  He taught welding, retiring in 1976.  Jim was very proud of his efforts to organize the Teachers into the Adirondack Cooperative Teacher’s Association and was their first President and Chief Negotiator.  He returned to BOCES in his later years, working as a substitute until his 90^th birthday.

Jim was very active in retirement, playing golf, hunting, fishing and always lending a helping hand to his large family and many friends.  He loved to travel and especially enjoyed his last trip, a mountain climbing excursion to Colorado.  Jim loved taking camping trips with his beloved wife.  He was also an avid NY Yankee Fan.  Jim  will always be remembered for his humor, quick wit, Irish charm and mostly true tales.   

In addition to his parents and his late wife, Genevieve, Jim was predeceased by his brothers, John and Edward Kearns and his sisters, Delores Spring, Thelma Redmond and Geraldine Dewitt; his stepsons, G. Patrick DuPell and Eugene L. DuPell; his grandsons, James P. DuPell  and Mark L. DuPell; and one great grandson, James P. Hinchliffe.

He is survived by one sister, Ruth VanDorpe of Lakeland FL; one son, James (Linda) Walton Kearns of Apopka FL;

one daughter in law, Theresa DuPell; nephews , Raymond and Alan Dewitt, James Spring, Robert Van Dorpe;

niece, Jo Ann Vancor; his grandchildren, James (Andrea) Walton Kearns Jr of Syracuse, Kelli (Eric) Puccio of Denver CO, Scott (Darlene) Kearns of Ft Lauderdale FL, Theresa (David) Pratt of Fort Edward,  Marie (Anthony) Caschera of Mechanicville, Patricia (Rocco) Denino of Glens Falls, Gisele (Brian) Freed of Centennial CO, Annette Orsini of South Glens Falls, Michelle (Timothy) Place of Gansevoort, David (Olga) DuPell of Grass Valley CA, Carole (Niel) Nielson of Saratoga Springs; a granddaughter in law, Leigh (Bill) Cenate of Hudson Falls;  great grandchildren, Deborah (Michael) Greco of Hartford, Stephen Caschera of Clifton Park, Todd Caschera of Mechanicville, Emily (Craig) Blowers of Clifton Park, Jill (Brian) Lacque of Hudson Falls, Melissa (Matt) LaPan of Hudson Falls, James, Alison,  Abigail  and Thomas Freed,  all of Centennial CO, Melina Orsini of Fort Edward, Frank Orsini of Lakewood CO, Katherine, Meghan, Christine and  Alyssa Place, all of Gansevoort, Emma and Evan DuPell of Los Angeles CA, Julie Nielsen of Cranford NJ, Matt (Laura) Nielsen of Ridgewood NJ;  great-great grandchildren;  Alec, Madison and Nikolas Kearns, Jacqueline Puccio, Madeline and Liam Kearns,  Matt and Dillon Hinchliffe, Sophia and Isabella Greco, Elliot and Kyra Goga, Tyler and Trevor Nielsen, Ayva Caschera, Karleigh, Katelynn and Joseph LaPan, Bryant Freed Valdez. 

Friends may call on Friday, May 3, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, pastor of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls, officiating.

The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.

Following the cemetery services, all are welcome to a gathering at McManus Hall, located adjacent to St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Plumeria Adult Home and the nurses and staff at the Glens Falls Hospital, for being so kind and caring to  Jim and his family.

Donations in Jim’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern NY Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205 or the ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter,  890 Seventh North Street, Ste. 108,  Liverpool, New York 13088

Condolences may be made by visiting www.carletonfuneralhome.net.