Obituary
Rushville- James H. Rice, 73, died unexpectedly Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at his home.
A Masonic Service will be held Saturday (Feb. 6th) at 11 a.m. at the Rushville Congregational Church. A Memorial Service will follow at the church. Burial will be in Rushville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rushville Historical Society, P.O. Box 51, Rushville, NY 14544;
or the Rushville Congregational Church, c/o Pat Sawers, 12 Bassett St., Rushville, NY 14544.
Born in Utica, NY, Jim was the son of the late Howard and Helen Rice. He graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1959. Jim served in the Naval Reserves before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1960. He served until 1964. On July 21, 1962, Jim married Jean Fish, in Mattydale, NY. They lived in Rochester, before moving to Rushville in 1972 to raise their family. Jim retired from Griffin Technologies, in Victor, in 1999.
Jim was active in his beloved Masons. He was raised in the Rushville Lodge #377; and was currently a member of the Canandaigua Lodge #294, the Milo Lodge #108, and the Masonic Veterans’ Association. Jim was the Grand Historian of the New York State Lodge. He was past-Master of the Rushville Lodge, and past- District Deputy for Ontario, Seneca and Yates Counties. He wrote numerous articles that were published quarterly in the Empire State Mason Magazine. Jim published the “24-Inch Gauge” about the Masons.
Jim was an active member of the Rushville Congregational Church. He served as Church Clerk for 30 years, as a Deacon, and as Secretary of the Board of Deacons.
Always interested in local history, Jim was currently the Village of Rushville Historian, and a former Yates County Historical Society Board member. He published a “History of the Rushville Congregational Church. He also wrote articles about Rushville History for the Daily Messenger newspaper in Canandaigua.
Jim served the Village of Rushville and the Town of Potter. He was a former Mayor, Village Justice and Town Justice. Jim was also a former Scoutmaster for Rushville’s Pack 43.
Most of all, Jim was dedicated to his family. Surviving him is his wife of 53 years, Jean; son, James M. (Paula) Rice; daughter, Judy (Robert) VanCampen; two grandsons, Jacob and Nathan VanCampen; sister, Beverly (Frank) Pontillo; sisters-in-law, Judy (James) Kendall and Kathy Rice; brothers-in-law, Larry (Sue) Fish III and Roger (Dawn) Fish; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was predeceased by his sister, Marilyn Courtwright; brother, Robert Rice; and father and mother-in-law, Larry and Donna Fish.