James Donald Hull

James Donald Hull, 65, of Unadilla, passed away suddenly Friday, July 20, 2007, at his home.
Jim was born June 1, 1942, in Oneonta, and was a lifelong resident of the Unadilla area. Jim knew the area and its residents well and was a friend to all. Many will remember him as the person who entertained them during holidays with his Christmas tree business, including horse-drawn rides on Hutchinson Hill.
He will be remembered by his friends at the post offices in the area, where he worked many years, and friends at Amphenol Corp. in Sidney, and his horse-shoeing customers from years back.
He touched the lives of many with his thoughtful manner, humor and good nature. He always had a sincere interest in everyone he met, including friends in Bay du Vin, New Brunswick, Mcgillivray Lake, Quebec, and Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served his country from 1967 to 1968.
He was a graduate of Unadilla Central School and attended Paul Smith's College in New York and the University of Miami in Florida.
Entertaining friends was his favorite pastime, and we will miss his love of humor and friendship. We will keep him in our hearts.
His hobbies included a lifelong love of horses, starting at Chambers Stables in Unadilla. Jim owned draft horses in New Brunswick and on Hutchinson Hill and farmed with some horse-drawn equipment in his younger years. He loved working his farm and livestock.
He taught us about times past and the traditions of generations who lived and worked in our area and in Canada, where his mother was born and he spent time as a youngster.
In addition to the farm on Hutchinson Hill, where he and Susie and his children lived for 30 years, he also homesteaded a small farm in New Brunswick.
Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susie; his son, Jason and his wife, Kris, of Fairfield, Iowa; his daughter, Jessica, of West Chester, Pa.; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Gabriel and Katherine of Iowa; his mother, Peg Hull, of Unadilla; his sister, Susan, and her husband, George Pina, of Preston, Conn., his sister, Donalda and husband Keith Vanderlip, of Rochester; brother-in-law and oldest friend, Douglas MacArthur of Unadilla; two sisters-in-law, Jean and husband Ty Tyson, of Florida and Gilbertsville, and Paulette and husband Stephen Judd, of Unadilla; his mother-in-law, Mary Beardsley, of Unadilla; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
He was predeceased by his father, Donald Hull, in 1996; and recently his father-in-law, John MacArthur, of Unadilla.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Main Street, Unadilla; the Rev. Scott A. Garno, rector, will officiate.
Friends may call at the Westcott Funeral Home Inc., 123 Main St., Unadilla from 6 to 8 p.m. today, July 23, 2007, when the family will be present at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Unadilla.
Friends are invited to the Unadilla House Restaurant, Main Street, Unadilla, following the committal service at the cemetery for refreshments.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unadilla Emergency Squad, Unadilla, NY 13849 in Jim's memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Westcott Funeral Home Inc., 123 Main St., Unadilla, under the supervision of James S. Westcott and James C. Magee, funeral directors.