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James Kinley Obituary

OLEAN - James H. Kinley, of Olean and Arlington, Texas, passed away on Monday (July 20, 2015) at his Olean residence.

Born May 27, 1927, in Olean, he was the son of the late Lewis F. and Carolyn Banta Kinley. On July 5, 1948, he married his first love, the former Barbara L. Parks. They had two children, Carolyn and James L. They had a loving marriage until Barbara passed away on July 2, 1973.

On May 1, 1976, he married his second love, Sarah Crisafulli. Once again, he was very blessed with a loving, happy marriage for all his remaining years. He always felt very blessed to be related to all of Sarah's brothers and their children. They were the family he never had, and he enjoyed their company and their friendship. Many of them seemed like his own children.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served on an anti-submarine ship, the U.S. Woonsocket P.F. 32, in the North Atlantic Ocean, until the end of the war.

During his long business career, Mr. Kinley served as president of Kinley Oil and Gas, and Kinley Corporation. In the early 1990s, he turned the corporation presidency and operations over to his son, J.L. Kinley. As J.L. carried on the operations, he expanded Kinley to remarkable new heights. He was very proud of his son and his success as the fifth generation to carry on the family business and to have such an impeccable reputation.

Several of his favorite memories were the years he worked in the oil fields in New York and Pennsylvania as a boy and man. He worked several different jobs as laborer, tool dresser, pumper, roustabout, then as foreman and superintendent. He loved the outdoors and working in the woods. He was a close friend with the men he worked with and always enjoyed and remembered them through the years.

Mr. Kinley enjoyed spending time with his wife, Sarah, and being in the company of their family. They enjoyed traveling together, especially to Italy and Sicily. Jim enjoyed the outdoor woodlands in New York and Pennsylvania. He also enjoyed reading his books in the large library he had collected over the years.

During his business career, Mr. Kinley also served on numerous boards of directors including First National Bank of Bolivar, First Trust Union Bank, North Star Bank N.A., Fleet Bank, Investors Royalty of Tulsa, Okla., Sabine Royalty Corporation of Dallas, Texas, Cupler Torpedo Company and Otto Torpedo Company, as well as other entities.

He was active in St. John's Church in Olean, where he also served on the finance committee for many years before retiring. He was also a member of the NYS Oil Producers Association, American Historical Societies, Drake Oil Museum, American Legion, Tea Party Patriots, Free and Accepted Masons, Wednesday Romeos and the Manhattan Group.

Surviving besides his wife, Sarah, are a son J.L. (Jenifer) Kinley of Arlington, Texas; a daughter, Carolyn (Michael) Crawford of Oak Leaf, Texas; six grandchildren, Adam Crawford, Michael J. Crawford, Kirstin Green, James P. Kinley, Amanda Chappell and Katherine Kinley; six great-grandchildren; a cousin, William Kinley of Olean; a distant cousin, Jim (Anne) Kinley of Mareeba, Australia, and their lovely daughter, Phoebe, who have visited Jim and Sarah in the United States; a niece, Linda (Ron) Cecchi; and a nephew, Jeff (Keiley) Banfield.

In addition to his first wife Barbara, he was predeceased by a sister, Joyce Banfield, on June 8, 2002.

Friends will be received on Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday (July 24, 2015) at 10 a.m. in St. John's Church. The Rev. Ed Sheedy, pastor, will be the principal celebrant. The Rev. William Wangler will concelebrate. Burial will be at a later date at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. John's Endowment Fund, 931 N. Union St., Olean, NY 14760; the Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region, 182 E. Union St., Suite 2, Allegany, NY 14706; the Olean Public Library, 134 N. Second St., Olean, NY 14760; or to the Penn-Brad Oil Museum, 901 South Ave., Custer City, PA 16725. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Olean Times Herald on Jul. 22, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for James Kinley

Sponsored by His Legacy - Kinley Corporation.

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August 17, 2015

Sarah and family, my condolences on the passing of a wonderful man. He was a great and dear friend of my dads, Charles Shaffer and my uncle, Jim Hornburg. Sincerely, Jim Shaffer, Rockville,MD.

G. David Butchello

July 29, 2015

JL and Sarah, Please extend our condolences to your entire family. Jim was a man all should aspire to be. Honorable, kind, respectful, a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. You are all in our prayers and thoughts.
G. David Butchello

Elizabeth Mannix fitch

July 27, 2015

We are so saddened to learn of jims passing. The kinley family is so special to us and we have wonderful memories of j l Carolyn and Barbara. My parents loved them both so much! Sarah became family as well and we loved spending time with the kinleys! My favorite memory is knocking on jims door on a quick visit by Mary nelle and I and the look of shock on his face when he saw us through the window! It was a wonderful visit! Love you all so much! Elizabeth Mannix fitch

July 24, 2015

JL,
Sorry to read of your fathers passing. I felt I knew him well through my father Bruce. He told me a lot of great stories about him and the Romeo's.
Please know our thoughts are with you and your family.
Dan Bradley

Hank & Rhonda Mountain

July 24, 2015

Dear Sarah and family, Hank & I are now living in Asheville and just heard this sad news. We want you to know that we are keeping you in our prayers and are deeply aware of what a great man Jim was, and how he will always be a part of everyone he met. Love & prayers to you & your family.

July 23, 2015

a voice from the past....our deepest sympathy..dot and jim ferri....

Dawn & Doug Duncan/Liptrot

July 23, 2015

We only knew Jim for a few brief years and were drawn by his quick wit, love of life and genuine interest in people and their stories. Kudos, Jim, to a life well-lived.

Todd and Nadine Weber

July 22, 2015

We have such wonderful memories of the times we spent with Jim and Sarah on the Columbia River and in the Southwest. He was such a pleasure to be with, filled with humor, insight, wisdom and kindness. He will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to Sarah. May you find comfort and joy in all the treasured memories you have. God bless you.

July 22, 2015

Dear Sarah and the Kinley family- our sympathy to all of you. I knew Jim and his sister Joyce Banfield since we were young people. I spent many good times at the Kinley home. Sincerely, Beverly Sage Nickel.

July 22, 2015

I was so sorry to hear about Jim. My husband Jim loved talking with him. He was such a nice and kind man. Sending prayers to Sarah and family.

July 22, 2015

Dear Sarah,

Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Jim was a fine man....

Sincerely......Renee' Grant Deibler

July 22, 2015

Sarah and Family - We were honored to become friends with you and Jim over the last few years. There are no warmer, loving people than the two of you. The Manhattan men and their mates will miss his stories, his compliments to all the wives, and his genuine, authentic, character. He always had a special twinkle in his eye and we will miss him. Rest in Peace and know that you touched many lives. Fred and Kathy Welch

Jeff and Anita Lucio

July 22, 2015

Sarah, JL, and Carolyn
Jeff and I want you to know our hearts and prayers are with all of you and your families. Jim will always have a special place in our hearts. He was a wonderful person and we were honored to know him.

July 22, 2015

Many of the family would not know of Mr. Kinley's kindness to our family. Sixty three years ago my parents rented a farm house on the Four Mile Road. The only thing we had a lot of was kids, because it certainly wasn't money or means and times were hard. Our father was a mechanic and worked hard, but the demands meant going without a number of things. However, our family was close and working was just part of being a contributor to help out.
All of this to say what a blessing Mr. Kinley's was to us. We moved there around 1951 and he collected the first month's rent and never required another payment until our mother left in 1976.. Our memories are powerful of growing up on the beautiful Four Mile and we are so thankful for the generosity and kindness of such a man.
The Rhodes Family

July 22, 2015

Jim was a wonderful friend of my Fathers Walter D Barton,our condolences from the Barton Family of Allegany NY and the Florida Bartons.

Melissa and Mike DeRose

July 22, 2015

It was a privilege to know Mr. Kinley. He is a true role model for so many of us. He will be deeply missed in this community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Sarah.

July 22, 2015

Warmth, integrity, kindness and a loving family man who will live on in those whose lives he touched so deeply. Deepest respect and sympathy.
Kerry Butchello Lehere

Claudia Attard

July 22, 2015

Loved him! Such a great human being, so glad I had the pleasure of knowing him. ❤. Sending love and prayers to Sarah and family ❤

Dave and Gigi Winchell

July 22, 2015

Truly a wonderful and caring man that will be sadly missed! He was always warm and welcoming to me,! And quite the kidder, my husband Dave thought the world of Jim, and we will miss him!

Beth Mitchell

July 22, 2015

Jim was such a warm and kind man. He would have lunch at our cafe regularly and always have time for a chat. Sarah, my love, prayers and thoughts are with you. Beth Mitchell.

July 22, 2015

You have left this world a better place Mr. Kinley. My heart aches for those you leave behind and continue your traditions. With love for all. Cathy Sabol

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results

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