Obituary of James William Ireland, Jr.

James William “Bill” Ireland, 96, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024, in Malta, NY, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 20, 1928, in Quincy, MA, he was the son of James William Ireland and Edna Demeritt. Bill graduated from Braintree High School in 1946 before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served in post-WWII Japan, from 1946 to 1947.

Bill graduated from Tufts University in 1952 and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. On June 14, 1952, he married Joan Patricia Langley, his beloved wife of 51 years.

In 1952, Bill began his career with the General Electric Company through the Financial Management Program. His 37-year career took him to New York City, Newark, and Schenectady with his final role being the Finance Manager for TIPO. Bill was also a dedicated member and former treasurer of the Schenectady Elfun Chapter, GE’s charitable organization.

In 1967, Bill and his family settled in Clifton Park, where he and Joan led an active and community-oriented life, filled with activities centered around their four sports-loving sons and a wide circle of friends. Bill was a founding member of the Elnora Baseball League and took immense pride in his sons. His greatest joy was watching them play on various Shenendehowa sports teams, spending countless hours cheering them on. He also coached numerous youth league teams and contributed manual labor to prepare many freshly leveled fields. Bill was deeply involved in local politics as a member of the Republican Party.

An expert home gardener, Bill cultivated pole beans and a variety of tomatoes, with his yellow heirloom tomatoes being particularly noteworthy. He was a spirited dancer and piano player, banging out his signature boogie woogie tunes, to the delight of his ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband and attentive grandfather.  He was a deeply loved and sought-after companion to his adult sons and entire family.  Each grandchild had a unique and special relationship with him.  He will be deeply missed.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and his adored wife, Joan. He is survived by his cherished children: James W. III (Valerie) of Southampton, NY; David (Susan) of Fayetteville, GA; Paul (Elizabeth) of San Anselmo, CA; and Gregg of Saratoga Springs, NY. His grandchildren include Benjamin (Phuong) Ireland, Margaret (Kyle) Young, Aubry (Jeff) Kochera, Amber (Adam) Stacy, Brent (Nicole) Ireland, Jessica (Shawn) Ramsay, Alexander (Nora) Ireland, Spencer (Nicole) Ireland, Grant Ireland, and Grace Ireland. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Lucy and James Ireland; Hollis, Maeve, and Valerie Young; Riley Kochera; Lincoln Stacy; and Jack and Gray Ramsay, as well as his cousins George and Lee Ogilvie of Littleton, MA.

He was also predeceased by his dear and loving companion Leslie “Pat” Miller, with whom he shared thirteen happy years.

The service will be private, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065.

Contributions can be made to the Community Hospice Foundation, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208, or online at www.communityhospice.org.