James Jim A. Christiance Sr.

Jim was born on December 12, 1929 in Amsterdam, New York, the son of the late Chester and Ruth (Bump) Christiance. He was a graduate of Oneonta High School, class of 1948.

He was very proud of his military service to his country. Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948, serving 4 years. During his service time, he was active in the Korean War and was honorably discharge in 1952. Jim was also a member of the US Air Force Association.

Following his military service, Jim began his career as a mason and was a bricklayer with the Local 57 Union for 25 years. In 1978 he went to work for Hartwick College as a mason. During his time as a bricklayer at the college, several buildings were erected under Jim’s foremanship. In 1986, Jim was promoted to Director of the Physical Plant at the college, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.

While at the college Jim was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of Trustees, the Certificate of Appreciation from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, and the Meritorious Service Award from the Hartwick College Alumni Association in 1992.

In his spare time, Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, especially enjoying trips with his brother-in-law, Tom Carson, and later his boys, Jim Jr. and Bill. He also served as an Assistant Scout Master for 4 years and received the Order of the Arrow at the Crumhorn Mountain Boy Scout Camp. Jim was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles for 25 years.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Allie Mae Christiance; his two sons, James A Christiance, Jr., and his wife Debbie, and William Christiance, and his wife Karen; his five grandchildren, Jennifer Fuller Regg, Michelle and Kasey Christiance, Scott Cornwell, and Christina O’Connor Karn, and 15 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother-in-law, John Carson, and his wife Mary; his sisters-in-law, Crystal Carson, Jean Warner, and Colleen Gallusser, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was predeceased by his mother and father; his stepfather, Don Winslow; his sister, Doris Marion Little; his brothers-in-law, Sherman “Bill” Carson, Tom Carson, and Leonard Carson; and his mother and father-in-law, Leona and Len Van Hoesen.

Friends and family may call from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, at which time the family will receive guests.

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, January 2, 2015 at the Hartwick College Shineman Chapel, located just past the Perrella Health Center, at the top of 1 Hartwick Drive. Jim will be laid to rest in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery later in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family requests that you kindly consider making a donation in his memory to the Hartwick College Scholarship Fund in memory of James Christiance, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.