James P. Boysha Sr.

1938 - 2014

ELDRED, Pa. - James P. Boysha Sr., of 4 N. First St., passed away Tuesday (Nov. 11, 2014) at the Veterans Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y., surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 30, 1938, in Nanticoke, he was the son of Joseph and Dorothy Spencer Boysha. On April 26, 2008, he married Lucille "Lucy" Boysha, who survives.

Mr. Boysha was a 27-year veteran of the U.S. armed forces, serving honorably with the U.S. Air Force and fighting in the Vietnam War. He was a talented musician who performed with the Air Force Band and later played in a local band. Upon retirement from the military, he worked as a mason and always kept busy with his carpentry skills, building large model airplanes, playing bowling on the Wii, fishing and golfing.

He resided in Lakeland, Fla., for 10 years, where he was active with the American Legion and The Riders group of the Lakeland region. Along with his wife, he enjoyed helping other veterans. He returned to Eldred in 2013.

Surviving, besides his loving wife, Lucy, are eight children, Mary Lou Boysha (Randy) Marsden of Scio, N.Y., James P. (Sue Wilber) Boysha Jr. and Richard A. Boysha Sr., both of Hinsdale, N.Y., Jeannette Boysha (Michael Button) DeFiore of Hollow Rock, Tenn., Leon J. (Penny) Boysha Sr. of Hinsdale, Darryl Boysha of Judsonia, Ariz., April (Troy) Boudreaux of Livingston, La., and Christopher (Wendy) Boysha of Denham Springs, La.; a stepson, Edward Nelson of Bolivar, N.Y.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, John (Elsa) Boysha of Gainesville, Fla., and Joseph (Neva) Boysha of Hinsdale; two sisters, Jane Hartman and Loretta Hartman, both of Dunkirk; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 15, 2014) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean, N.Y. Funeral services will begin at 4 p.m. in the funeral home, followed by full military honors accorded by members of the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team. The Rev. Richard "Buck" Young, pastor of Ischua Union Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount View Cemetery Veterans Field of Honor.

Memorials may be made to the Veterans Administration Hospital of Buffalo, 3495 Bailey Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215.

Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.