Obituary of James M. Mead

Honorable James M. Mead, 97, of Mead Road, Town of Florida died Monday, July 31, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Amsterdam, NY on November 10, 1919 he was the son of the late Warren and Emily Rust Mead. A lifelong area resident, Jimmy was a 1936 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School. He went on to attend the Amsterdam School of Commerce. He owned and operated Floridale Farm along with his son, Ronald Mead until his retirement in 1998. On September 6, 1941 he was united in marriage to Jean Kimball Mead. That union lasted 66 years until her passing on April 2, 2007. He was also predeceased by his children, Connie Lais and Ronald Mead; and his siblings, Helen Kruger, Dr. Warren Mead and Marion Betz. A civic minded individual, Jimmy was committed to his community serving in many different capacities. He served as Town of Florida Supervisor from 1969- 1977 and as Town Justice from 1957- 1969. He was a member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, the Town of Florida Grange, Amsterdam Masonic Lodge #84 F&AM, the Board of Directors of GLF (Agway), Director of Amsterdam Milk Producers Co-OP, member of the Fulmont Economic Development Agency, member of the Iroquois Seniors and served on the Advisory Board of State Bank of Albany. He was also a devout member of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Above all, Jimmy enjoyed being a family man, and a "Pop" to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his grandchildren, Brian Mead and his wife Laurie, Eric Mead and his wife Sandy, Kara Lais and Kristopher Lais and his wife Christina; seven great grandchildren, Emily, Cole, Madison, Kylee, Katie, Makenah and Mason; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 1 o'clock at the Chapel of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam with the Rev. Dr. John A. Califano presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Relatives and Friends are invited and may call from 4 until 7p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ronald J. Mead Memorial Scholarship Fund, 322 Snooks Corners Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 24 Pine Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com