Obituary of James Owen Tennies

WESTFIELD - James O. Tennies, of Westfield, New York passed away on Tuesday March 9, 2010, at Hamot Hospital in Erie, P.A.. Jim, otherwise known as Clyde, Vern, Wimple, and Mr. T., was born on September 29, 1932 in Little Valley, New York, the son of the late Stanley and Minnie Tennies. Jim graduated from Jamestown Community College and Indiana Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the United States Air Force for four years. Jim loved his work as a Mechanical Engineer employed over the years by Morris Borg-Warner in Ithaca, Renold Inc. of Westfield, and Jamestown Plastics in Brocton, N.Y. He was well respected in his field of Engineering as noted by "Who's Who in Engineering". He holds five U.S. patents in power transmission couplings and sprag clutches. He has also been a guest lecturer at Alfred University. He was an active member in the local communities, most notably for his 23 years of service, on the Mayville/Chautauqua Lake School Board. During his service he was instrumental in the merger of Chautauqua and Mayville Schools. He also participated in a merger study for Ripley and Westfield Schools. His most recent community contribution was the generous contribution of money for the future building of the North Lake soccer dugouts. Jim loved to read, was an avid bird watcher, and enjoyed playing cards with his friends. He enjoyed problem solving using his engineering calculator, solving Sudoku puzzles, and playing solitaire on his computer. He traveled extensively, covering 13 countries over four continents. Family was of the utmost importance to Jim. He frequently attended musical and sporting events, supporting his grandchildren. Jim was at his happiest when surrounded by his entire family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene Tennies and sister Pricilla Teeter. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Carolyn H. Tennies whom he married April 8, 1961; three sons: James (Shari) of Westfield, Scott (Janet) Tennies of Pittsburgh, and David (Kathy) of Cypress, TX; daughter: Tracy Tennies Long (Richard) of Aylesbury, England; grandsons: Zachary, Chris, George, Liam and Noah; granddaughters: Kylen, Amanda, and Megan. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Friday, March 12th at the Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, N.Y.. Funeral services will be private. Donations may be made to the Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 78851 Phoenix, AZ 85062-8851. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Jim's family a message of sympathy.