Obituary of James H. McFaddin
Please share a memory of James to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
James H. McFaddin, 78, of Norwood, NY passed away on May 19, 2015 at his 2 Ridge Street home.
The funeral service will be held at 9:00 am on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at St. Andrews Church in Norwood with Rev. Jack Downs officiating. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Buck Funeral Home, 7 Park Street in Norwood. Burial will follow the funeral at Riverside Cemetery in Norwood.
Jim was born in Malone, NY on April 30, 1937 the son of the late James C. and Pearl LaFayette McFaddin. He graduated from St. Josephs Ursuline Academy in Malone and attended SUNY Plattsburgh.
Jim was married to Phyllis Greenwood on September 22, 1956 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Malone. They were married 59 years.
Jim worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s and went on to a career at Alcoa where he retired in 1996 after 30 years. While at Alcoa he was actively involved in union leadership as Vice-President of the Executive Board and Show Steward of the Aluminum, Brick and Glassworkers Local 420. Jim was also a member of Kiwanis, where he served as President and Lieutenant Governor; President of the Norwood Lake Association; member of the NYS Association of Mayors; and Baldwin Acres Board of Directors. Jim was a communicant of St. Andrews Church in Norwood where he served in various capacities. He was also a veteran of the National Guard in Malone.
Jim was a committed supporter of the Democratic Party and enjoyed organizing local elections. His work as a Town Committeeman and member of the St. Lawrence County Legislature, where he served as Chairman, earning him the distinction as a Silas Wright Award recipient in 2000. As mayor of the Village of Norwood for the past seven years, Jim worked tirelessly to lower taxes while promoting economic development and responsible government. He was also the Chairman of the Norwood Lake Regatta for the past 25 years and was the founder and manager of the Norwood Recycling Center.
Jim enjoyed going to camp, traveling, especially to Maine, genealogy, and spending time on his lawn mower, cutting the grass and chasing the geese.
Jim is survived by his wife Phyllis; two sons James McFaddin, Norwood and Michael McFaddin, Colton; two daughters: Erin and James LaBarge, Norwood and Kelley and Patrick Brady, Potsdam; along with his grandchildren: Michael J. McFaddin, Crystal McFaddin Eicher, James I. McFaddin, Sean L. McFaddin, Zakaria J. LaBarge, Meaghan G. Brady, Moriah Brady Warren, Molly M. Brady, Connor P. Brady and Jack L. Brady; his great grandchildren: Logan D. Eicher and Brady P. Warren; along with many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother William McFaddin and sister Janice McFaddin Siek.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Potsdam Humane Society, 17 Madrid Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13676.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the family of James H. McFaddin.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James McFaddin, please visit our Tree Store