James Jeffries, 73 years of age, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 29 at UVM/CVPH in Plattsburgh NY.

 

James was born October 28, 1951, in North Syracuse to the late Jack and Elizabeth (Betty) Jeffries.

 

He was the oldest of five children.

 

He graduated from North Syracuse and continued on to do various jobs from working for a veterinary to the Carpenter's Union. Jim lived and breathed the outdoors and that was his calling. He heard Lake Champlain was beautiful and a healthy fishery. He came to visit and decided to make Rouses Point his home. He started businesses and after endless hours of hard work, he became a successful businessman and a pillar to the community.

 

Jim would meet the love of his life through a couple of close friends in 1993, together they became inseparable and shared the same passions to the fullest extent.

 

Jim loved the outdoors and played a major role in the bass fishing world; being the avid outdoor person he won spots in the Vermont and New York state teams, Divisionals and the ultimate accomplishment, a National.

 

There was joy in his bowling, dart and pool leagues, fishing perch, bass, Lake Ontario salmon fishing with a special group of friends, hunting elk and the many deer hunts. 

 

He loved to cruise in his RV; east to west, north to south. He enjoyed stopping at casinos along the way for a Texas Hold'em game, win or lose, it was fun. He enjoyed his guide trips and goose hunting with his faithful companions Bluebell, Billy and then Bear and a special group of friends.

Jim was a proud sponsor of Ducks Unlimited.

 

Jim was a mentor, friend, great guy, and a good man. His friend list was endless. His beautiful daughter gave him two grandsons and his wife gave him a stepson.

 

James is predeceased by a brother, John Patrick Jeffries.

 

He is survived by his wife, Rose (Guerin) Jeffries; daughter, Christina and Tim Krukar; stepson, Jeffrey LaValley; sisters, Ann and Angel Jeffries, Sharon and Sam Oppedisano, and Susan and Jeff Williams; grandsons, Nic Jeffries and Aaron Krukar; nephews, Ben and Scott; nieces, Nicole, Andrea and Jamie; his mother-in-law, Leona Guerin; and his fur babies, Pepper, Ginger, Mia and Jasmine.

 

Let's celebrate the wonderful man he was and fullest life he lived.

 

As we say in the industry

 

Tight lines!

 

Calling hours will be Friday, February 7th at the Ross funeral home in Champlain from 10:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patricks Church in Rouses Point at 2:00 p.m.

 

A Celebration of Life and burial to follow in the spring.

 

A donation in memory of James can be made to the Shiners.

A special thanks to Champlain EMS, and the R4 staff who let him play his music and dance the beat right to the end.

 

Arrangements are in the care of the Ross Funeral Home in Champlain. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.ROSSFUNERALHOMES.com