James Francis Gilpatric

James Francis “Digger” Gilpatric KINGSTON-James Francis “Digger” Gilpatric, 89, a lifelong Kingston resident, and one of Kingston’s longest-serving morticians, passed away in the comforting presence of his wife, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. A native of Kingston, he was the son of the late Ralph and Marie (Murphy) Gilpatric. Jimmy was a graduate of Kingston High School Class of 1946, attended Siena College from 1947-49, was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, graduated from the Renouard School for Embalmers (at Bellevue Hospital, N.Y.C.) June 1950, and earned his NYS License to Practice Funeral Directing on July 17, 1951. In 1950, Jimmy joined his grandfather’s funeral firm, the James M. Murphy Funeral Home. Following the death of his grandfather, Jimmy took over as owner and funeral director of the firm in 1954. In 1972, Jimmy marked the 100th anniversary of his funeral home with a change of name and plans for expansion, revealing that the four-generation family firm would be renamed the Gilpatric-Murphy Funeral Home. In 2009, the funeral home business was sold and renamed the Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, and eventually moved to Ulster Park in the Town of Esopus in 2012. Jimmy continued as an advisor and mentor to the firm’s new owner, funeral director Harry VanVliet IV. In his more than 60 years as funeral director, Jimmy was witness to many changes in the funeral profession. Jimmy was a former Ulster County Legislator, a past Commander of Kingston American Legion Post 150, a member of Kingston Council 275 Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, a longtime faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and a member of its Holy Name Society, a past member of Kingston Ancient Order of Hibernians where he was also recognized as 2003 Mayor of the Day, a member for 25 years of Kingston Babe Ruth Baseball League where, as an original founder,he served as its first president. He was also a past member of NYS Football & Baseball Officials, a past 45 year member of Kingston Kiwanis Club, and a longtime member of Twaalfskill Golf Club. Jimmy will be remembered for his quick wit, his Irish charm, and his laid back personality. He had two speeds, slow and slower, which allowed him to sit back, relax, enjoy life and its people as it unfolded before him. Jimmy ALWAYS had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and a joke to share. He dearly loved his hometown Kingston. He also loved his time spent in Cape Cod and Ireland, as well as his hand rolled cigars from Bach Factory Cigars on Wilbur Avenue, the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Mets, the Red Sox, and anyone who beat the Yankees. He was famous at Giants Stadium where he led his season ticket section in cheers and was proud of the drinks he shared with Joe “Willie” Namath the night before Super Bowl III. Jimmy worried about little, was loved by many, and will be dearly missed by each and every one of his family members and friends. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Roslie (Parmenter) Gilpatric; his son, Hon. James P. Gilpatric, and his wife Elizabeth, of Kingston; three daughters, Mary Ellen “Mimi” Croswell, and her husband Dennis, of Kingston, Patricia Gilpatric, of Kingston, and Christine Gilpatric Fiore of Tennessee; three stepsons, Joseph Schabot and his wife Michele, of Apex N.C., Steven Schabot, and his wife Lynn,