Obituary of James A. Schermerhorn

WESTFIELD - James A. "Jim" Schermerhorn, age 80, of Rt. 5, Westfield, died Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at UPMC-Hamot Medical Center of Erie, PA following a brief illness. Jim was born on October 31, 1935 in Volusia, NY, the son of the late Martin Harry and Pauline (Marshall) Schermerhorn. Jim served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1954 to 1957. He was a NYS Trooper for 22 years assigned to Troop "A" when he retired in 1983. He had also been employed by the former Niagara Mohawk Power Co. in the Security Division retiring from there in 1994, after 11 years of service. He enjoyed life in general, was an avid golfer and liked to collect Military Memorabilia. He was a devoted Yankees fan. He also enjoyed the company of his friends and often would speak about how much he enjoyed his trip to Alaska with dear friends, Don and Patti Tefft. However, Jim's greatest love was for his wife Joan, whom he married on March 8, 1957 in Ripley, NY and he also loved his family; nothing could top that! Jim was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge # 118, a Master Mason, a 40 year member of the former Summit Lodge F& AM both of Westfield, a Member of the Fluvanna WarVets Club and the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. He is survived by his wife, Joan E. "Jody" (Hendrickson) Schermerhorn, his daughter, Terri Lynn Howser of Manhattan, KS and his son, James Scot Schermerhorn of San Antonio, TX. Jim was the proud grandfather of Nicole (Timothy) Wollenberg, Ryan Howser, Jeffery, Justin, Deanna and Heather Schermerhorn and Jason Whitesell and great grandfather to Devon and Grayson Howser, Ryan and Jasmine Schermerhorn. At Jim's request, all services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to The Former NYS Troopers Helping Hands Foundation, AFNST, P.O. Box 328, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 or to the Charity of choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on tohttp://www.masonfuneral.com/ to send the Schermerhorn family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information. "When Someone you Love becomes a Memory; The Memory Becomes a Treasure" Jim was a NYS Trooper for 22 years assigned to Troop A when he retired in 1983. He had also been employed by the former Niagara Mohawk Power Co. in the Security Division retiring from there in 1994 after 11 years of service. He enjoyed life in general, was an avid golfer and liked to collect Military Memorabilia. He loved to travel and remarked how much he enjoyed his trip to Alaska with their good friends Don and Patti Tefft. However, Jim's greatest love was for his family; nothing could top that!