Obituary of James P. Retersdorf

Mr. James P. Retersdorf, age 89, of Gloversville, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Nathan Littauer Hospital following a brief illness. He was born August 29, 1921 in New Hartford, NY to Howard Retersdorf and Mary Mallory Retersdorf. Jim had three brothers Richard, Robert and Jack. When he was a child his family moved to Gloversville where he attended school and graduated from Gloversville High School Class of 1939. He later pursued aircraft construction training in Glens Falls which resulted in a position building fighter planes with Vought Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut. Jim later enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he attended Officer Candidate School and flight training at the University of Tennessee. He attained the rank of Second Lieutenant and earned his "wings" as bombardier of the B-25. Toward the end of his military career he met Mary Rita Gargiulo whom he married on June 8, 1946. Together they raised three children, J.Scott, Bonnie and Mark. After service, Jim initially worked in one of the local tanneries. In 1954 he was hired by the General Electric Company and retired as a Cryogenic Specialist from the GE Research and Development Center in 1983 after working on numerous research projects including GE's MRI where he coauthored two patents. Jim bowled for many years in the TwiLight Bowling League where he was known as "Turtle". He also enjoyed swimming and fishing at the family camp on the Great Sacandaga, hunting and hiking in the Adirondacks. For many years during his retirement Jim and Rita enjoyed their travels to Florida, and all the time spent with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim was a dedicated and much admired loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all; Our Hero. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Jack and Robert, daughter-in-law Dodie and grandson Scott J. He is survived by: his wife Mary Rita; brother Richard; son J.Scott and friend Margaret Houtz; daughter Bonnie Falanga Joseph and son Mark Lisa Denney. Surviving grandchildren are Robyn Morrell Martin, Debbie Smigen Mike, Jaime, Alan Elizabeth, Brian Retersdorf, Laura and Jared Retersdorf and their mom Suzanne, Todd, Jeff, Chris Falanga, David Risso, and Kevin Denney; and great-grandchildren Kayla and Samantha Morrell, Alyssa Wells, Mikey Smigen and Anthony Risso. The family will receive relatives and friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17 at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, where a Prayer Service will be held 9:15 a.m. Monday, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 151 S. Main St; Gloversville. Interment will take place at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Johnstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nathan Littauer Foundation, 99 E. State St; Gloversville, NY 12078 or to the charity of your choice.