James Francis Heath Jr.

James Francis Heath Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on February 9th, 2017 at his Burnt Hills home with family at his side. Jim was born on July 9th, 1937 in Amsterdam, NY to James F. Heath and Ralphea (Hoffman). Jim graduated from Fonda High School in 1955, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson College in 1959. Later in his career, Jim earned his master's degree at Union College. His first job was at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. in LA, California. He returned back to the East and started working for General Electric in Pittsfield MA, starting his long career with the company. He transferred to Schenectady for an engineering job for Flight Test Operations. Still working for GE, Jim and his wife and infant son, transferred to the Test Support Department (for the space program) in Mississippi. While living in Huntsville, Alabama and Long Beach, Mississippi for three years, they had their second son. In 1967, The family moved to Burnt Hills, NY, and Jim started working for Machinery Apparatus Operations (MAO). He was a well-respected manager for MAO at GE for thirty years, which later became a division for Westinghouse, CBS, Viacom, and finally Bechtel (BPMI). Jim and Nancy met on a blind date, on a snowy February 9th day. Jim brought his new 'Vette, thinking to impress his date. Nancy wasn't impressed by the donuts he did in the snow, but was impressed by Jim. Together they belong to the Vettes in Perfection, sharing their love of Corvettes. Jim liked his work, but lived for his family. He was always there for them. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Jim was actively involved in Boy Scouts of America from childhood and obtained Life Scout. As an adult, he was a Weblos leader, as well as an assistant and Scout Master. Even after he helped his boys achieve their goals in scouting, he helped other scouts to achieve merit badges in bugling, canoeing, skating and bicycling. He was always available to attend and help with the sports that all five of his children played: tennis, soccer, baseball, football, volleyball, and hockey. Jim started an adult ice hockey league at Center Ice in Schenectady. Even after he retired from playing hockey, the league continued. Jim loved biking and rode his bike to work for many years, logging over twenty thousand miles. Jim and his wife played Pinochle almost every weekend for more than forty years with their best friends, Marlin and Claudia Stanley. His love for music started early with his friends, the Jims. Jamie Goody, Jim Allison and James Heath started a band as teenagers. Later he played trumpet and taught his sons to play. Whenever he went camping his harmonica came too. His love for camping was passed down from his mother's parents, and the Hoffman/Heath love of the Adirondacks was born and continues to this day. Jim was survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy (Dufur) Heath; and their four sons and one daughter, James Francis the 3rd (Mechelle Sellers), John Edwin (Gray Chapman), Joseph Mark (Melissa Olshefsky), Mary Elizabeth, Jason David (Margaret Mahony); and ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Jim was always close to his sister, Ethel, and her husband, Harry Fear and their children. He spent many happy moments with his brother-in-law, Edwin and his wife, Cecelia Dufur and their children, and his sister-in-law, Sue Dufur and her children, and loving cousins Ernest Lefavour and Adam Dangerfield (Jessica Legg) and all the Hoffman cousins. Jim was smart, honest, and loyal. He worked hard so he could give freely. A memorial service will be held in the summer, date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jim to Schenectady Youth Hockey Association, SYHA., PO Box 2618, Glenville, NY 12325 or Community Hospice-(Saratoga office), 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 who gave wonderful support and care. With confidence, the family has placed their trust in the loving care of the Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Jim's Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com.