James F. Seeley, Esq., age 67, of Ballston Lake, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, at the Albany Medical Center, after a fulfilling life. Jim, the second child of Eleanor (McGuire) and Thomas Seeley of Schenectady, is survived by Joan (Geisler), his beloved wife of nearly 46 years, and their three sons, Sean of Ballston Lake, Brook (Michelle) of Avon, CT, and Michael (Cynthia) of Glens Falls. He is also survived by his eight siblings, Thomas (Florie) of North Port, FL; Mary of East Berne; Sister Anne Seeley, CND of Staten Island, Francis (Linda) of Wittman, AZ, Joseph (Louise) of Treasure Island, FL, Margaret "Lea" (Mike) Bosquez of Ballston Lake, Elizabeth (Dennis Gary) of Malta, and Catherine (Mark) Torpey of Tucson, AZ; and by five loving grandchildren, Connor, Liam, Kellen and Finnian Seeley of Avon, CT, and Clark Seeley of Glens Falls.
He will also be missed by his uncle, George (Carol) of Schenectady, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was particularly close to Joan's siblings, Sally (William) Kitchen, Peter (Connie) Geisler, and Mary Lane.
A proud native of Schenectady, NY, Jim graduated from St. Joseph's Academy, where he excelled on the basketball team. After transferring from St. Michael's College in Winooski, VT, he graduated cum laude from Siena College.
After college, he married his childhood sweetheart, Joan, and served his country for five years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, completing his service with an honorable discharge as a captain. After returning stateside, Jim worked his way through school, ultimately obtaining his degree as a CPA, followed by his JD degree from Albany Law School, and his master of laws degree in Taxation from the prestigious New York University. He practiced as an attorney in the Albany area for 36 years, and recently moved the Seeley Law Office to Clifton Park, where he worked with his Dream Team, Linda Thatcher and Amy Stiffen.
Jim has been a member of Corpus Christi Church since 1978, where he has developed a keen interest in Evangelization. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a co-chairman of Catholics Returning Home. Most recently, he has been instrumental in launching the Amazing God! program for the Albany Diocese. Those who knew Jim best knew of his great passions for his family and his profession, but also for music, nature and speed. He was constantly searching for new music of all genres, and had a keen eye for photography and an appreciation for all aspects of the natural world.
He was exhilarated by speed, whether on a boat, skis, wheels, or wings. Jim enjoyed "slipping the surly bonds of earth" with his father, whether on a two-person bench seat in an open cockpit biplane, flying as a private pilot, co-piloting an acrobatic plane, or regaling the crew of the Concorde in the 1987 air show in Glenville as he flew at 1300 mph over the Atlantic Ocean. He enjoyed regular family ski trips to Gore and vacations out west. He served for several years on the boards of directors of the Empire State Air Museum and the Animal Protective Foundation. Jim loved the water, from his childhood summers in Sacandaga Park, to the first family trip to the Maine seacoast. He particularly enjoyed holidays and his time with family, including annual weekends in Lake Placid, trips to Hawaii and Ireland, family reunions in Quonochontaug, Rhode Island at the CND Villa Margarita, annual vacation weeks with his grandchildren in Maine, and trips to Lake George with his newest grandson.
Jim would want to wish you all the best as he reflected on a life that was too short but well lived, with much loved family and friends, as he passed on to eternal life with his Creator - who was the focus and center of every day. He felt blessed to share time with everyone he came in contact with, and shared his sense of humor even through his most difficult times. Calling hours for family and friends are planned between 4 and 8 p.m. this Tuesday, June 21, at Corpus Christi Church, on Route 9 in Ushers, NY. The family invites guests to funeral services at Corpus Christi Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m., with burial services and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amazing God!, Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, c/o Peter Avvento, Coordinator, or in Jim's name to a charity of your choice.
Published in The Daily Gazette Co. on June 19, 2011
Published in Albany Times Union from June 19 to June 20, 2011
|
