James P. Harding

Harding, James P.
CLIFTON PARK - James P. Harding, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at Ellis Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. James was born on October 15, 1936, in Chicago, Ill., and was the son of the late James Sr. and Elizabeth Harding. Jim was affectionately known to many people as "Rocket."
James graduated from St. Bede Academy in Ill., and soon after enlisted in the US army, where he honorably served from 1959-1961. He met his beloved wife, Dianne, and the two were wed on February 10, 1968. Later, he earned a bachelor's in business from Siena College. For several years, James worked as a sales representative for Emerick Associates, in Cohoes, N.Y., and Pump Service and Supply, Troy, N.Y. Following his retirement in 2006, he drove a school bus for the Shenendehowa Central School District, which ultimately was his favorite job, and he retired from that in 2018. Because he loved to keep busy, he worked part time for the Town of Clifton Park in the Tax Assessor's Office.
James was a spirited family man who was active with his children's endeavors. He enjoyed coaching the Junior Plainsmen, local soccer and softball teams. He was active in the Boy Scouts with his sons. He was a communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church. He enjoyed boating on Schroon Lake, and vacationing to Silver Bay, Vt., and Fla. Jim is a forever fan of the Chicago Cubbies and the Chicago Bears. You could often hear him singing the Chicago Bears fight song, "Bear Down, Chicago Bears."
James is survived by his wife, Dianne J. Harding; his children, Kimberlee (late David) Harman, James P. (Stephanie Monteau) Harding, Thomas M. (Kara) Harding, Liz (Rich) Carr, Courtney Harding, and Christy (Anthony) Caranfa; his grandchildren, Jamie (Liz) Harman, Jayden and Cedric Monteau, Thomas Harding Jr., Karly Harding, Michaela Harding, Dillon (Sierra) Carr, Sarah Carr, Trevor Carr, Elijah Buck, Isaac Buck, and Leo Caranfa; and his great-grandchildren, Kayce R. Carr and James "Chipper" Harman Jr.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Tuesday, July 29, 10 a.m. - 12 Noon, at St. Edward the Confessor Church Chapel, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, N.Y.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 noon, in the main sanctuary at the church.
Interment with military honors will conclude James' services in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, N.Y. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Arrangements are entrusted to Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on James' Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com