Obituary of James R. Cromie

James R. Cromie, Sr., 84, of Webster Street, Fort Plain, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, July 17, 2008 at Little Falls Hospital. Born on February 7, 1924 he was the son of the late Roy and Edith Brown Cromie. Mr. Cromie attended schools in Saranac Lake, NY. In 1942 he enlisted with the United States Navy and served proudly until December of 1945. Following WWII, he moved to Fort Plain where he has lived for the past 62 years. He first drove a taxi for John Errgong. He then went to work for the Kopper Suit Coat in Utica as a supervisor, until his retirement in 1986. On May 6, 1949 he was united in marriage to the former, Grace A. Hewitt. Together for nearly 60 years, they raised a family, and made their home in Fort Plain. Jim was a life member of the V.F.W., Mohawk Valley Post 3275 and was a member of the Fort Plain Reformed Church. He loved his family dearly, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. His loving family includes his devoted wife, Grace A. Cromie; two sons, James R. Cromie, Jr. and his wife Karen and Neil E. Cromie and his wife Kathy all of Glendale, Arizona; one sister, Lucille Blesh of North Syracuse; five grandchildren, Michael Cromie and his wife Samantha of Mesa AZ, Kimberly Hancock and her husband Jason of Gilbert, AZ, Katherine Cromie of Daytona Beach, FL, Neil E. Cromie, Jr. of Glendale, AZ and Katrina Cromie of Glendale, AZ; eight great grandchildren, Lily, Ariel, Kayla, Megan, Justine, Emily, Cameron and Brea; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Cromie. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 11 o'clock at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie with the Rev. Nancy Ryan presiding. Interment will follow in the Fort Plain Cemetery with full military honors. Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 4 until 7 Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 453, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 or to the Reformed Church of Fort Plain, 165 Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY, 13339.