James A. Rashford III

Dad was born to James, Jr. and Elsie Ann Rashford in Utica NY on June 20, 1955. He grew up in Clinton NY and would often brag to his children about his first job delivering milk, jumping off a milk truck at the tender age of 14 (or 12 depending upon who he was telling the story). After high school, during the Vietnam era, he joined the US army and used his affinity for cars and working with his hands to serve as an army mechanic. After the military, dad earned his associates degree in computer programming. He worked in banking and for Merrill Lynch in Manhattan before joining UPS, from which he retired as an Application Development Manager in 2015.

Away from work, Dad was always working on some project around the house, on the lake chasing fish, or wandering the wilderness after quarry – from whitetails in the nearby mountains, to elk in the Rockies and exotic game in South Africa. Wherever he was, he made quick friends of everyone he met.

In 2007, dad was diagnosed with cancer. With the unwavering support of his wife Robin, he fought a long hard battle – “Rashford Strong” until the end. We are grateful to all the doctors and nurses for their compassionate attention, and especially to Dr. Anna C. Pavlick for never giving up on dad and giving us another decade of his company.

He is survived by his devoted wife Robin Rashford; four loving children: James A. Rashford, IV, Benjamin S. Rashford and his partner Dannele Peck, Nicole Jean Rashford, Rebecca Ann Rashford; beloved father: James A. Rashford, Jr and his partner Catherine Ellis.; cherished grandchildren: Alyssa and Jessica Rashford; adored siblings: Peter Rashford, Cinda Spavins and her husband James, Mark Rashford and his wife Kelly, and John Rashford and his wife Jean; as well as many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to list.

Visitation will be held at David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992 on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A memorial service will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11:00am with a private cremation to follow. Please join us for a celebration of Jim’s life immediately following the service on Thursday at Loughran’s restaurant, 10 Schoolhouse Rd, (corner of Route 94) Salisbury Mills, NY 12577.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s name to the Melanoma Research Foundation at www.Melanoma.org in hopes of developing a cure.