Obituary of James "Jim" A. Risley, Sr.

James “Jim” A. Risley, Sr., 88, Lansingburgh, peacefully entered into eternal life on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Samaritan Hospital.  

Jim was born in Troy on February 22, 1930, to the late Nicholas and Jennie Snyder Risley.  He married his beloved wife, the late Mary Procyk Risley, on November 15, 1950.  They were together for nearly 65 years until her passing on August 10, 2015.  He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh, and the former St. Patrick’s Church in Troy. Jim was employed by the Standard Furniture Company in Troy, where he worked for over 30 years until his retirement in 1989.

A  loving and devoted family man, Jim cherished every moment spent in the company of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He never missed a baseball game, bowling match, dance recital or birthday party.  His family’s most treasured memories are of him playing the piano while everyone sang along to holiday classics and old-time favorites.  Aside from his family, Jim’s greatest passion was the New York Yankees.  Although he was a man of few words, he never missed an opportunity to talk baseball or revel in his team’s win.  Jim helped shape a whole new generation of Yankee fans — his family.

Jim is survived by his children, Carol O’Meara of Troy, Cathy (Bob) McCann of Clifton Park, and James Risley, Jr., (Carla) of Wynantskill, and his grandchildren, Christopher (Christine) Conway, Lindsay O’Meara, McKenzie (Kevin) Ahern, Shannon O’Meara, Kaitlyn McCann, James Risley, III and Nicholas Risley.  He is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wife, he was also predeceased by his siblings: Alberta Shaw, Betty Miner, Evelyn LaPier, Lillian Cancelino, Nicholas Risley, Joseph Risley, Thomas Risley and Frederick Risley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Jim on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh.  Calling hours will be held prior to the Mass on Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, 565 Fourth Ave (corner of 115th St. in Lansingburgh), Troy, NY 12182.  Interment will be held in Elmwood Hill Cemetery, Troy.

The Risley family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Samaritan Hospital (5th Floor) nursing staff, Van Rensselaer Manor, and a very special thank you to Debbie.

Memorial donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, 501 Fourth Avenue, Troy, NY 12182 or on-line at www.lansingburghboysandgirlsclub.com.

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