James Stephen Hlywa

James Stephen Hlywa, 83, was born to the late Stephen and Mary (Minarsky) Hlywa in Elmira, NY. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at home on January 26, 2022. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and will be greatly missed.
James and his two sisters grew up in Horseheads, NY, helping work on the family farm. In high school, James joined the Horseheads High football team. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, deploying on the destroyer USS Dortch, then later the USS John Paul Jones. James thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Navy, often regaling his children with the beautiful architecture of the places he'd visited and the joys of traveling the seas.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy as a Petty Officer 3rd Class, James began what would become a 38 year career at NYSEG in Ithaca, NY. He started at Milliken Station as a janitor and bid his way into lineman school--a job he loved. Over the years, he progressed to Chief Lineman, was chosen as an Instructor at the Lineman School, and retired as Chief Night Lineman. Not one to sit idle, retirement lasted less than a month. Not a surprise to those who knew him, Jim began making use of his CDL: working at area farms and a gas transport company, visiting his brother-in-law to plant and then harvest, and settling in at Genoa Sand and Gravel and O'Tooles Stone and Gravel where he worked until December 2021. His hobbies were offering his help to family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers with physical labor, mechanical know-how, and cutting firewood with his son. He even took time off to help his daughter stick build and wire her house, for fun. A font of knowledge, his advice was priceless.
James is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean (Prendergast) Hlywa; former wife, Leah Dian Parker; their four blended children, Laurie Hlywa of Mooresville, NC, Lisa (Joseph) Lester of King Ferry, NY, Maggie Hlywa of Mt. Ulla, NC, and Stephen (Tina) Hlywa of Groton, NY; a myriad of "borrowed children" throughout the years; seven grandchildren, Mariana Swears, AJ (Tori) Hlywa-Swears, Benji Hlywa-Swears, Jeyden Hlywa, Morgan Hlywa, Joseph Lester, and Cameron Lester; two sisters, Regina (Charles) Carson of Horseheads, NY, and Mitzi Margeson of Nokomisi, FL; 16 nieces and nephews and a growing number of great nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by two nephews, Kyle Wilson and Christopher Gelder; a brother-in-law, Charles Gelder; and blended family co-father, Dale Parker.
Family and friends are invited to a period of visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at All Saints Parish, 347 Ridge Road, Lansing, NY. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, King Ferry, NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's name may be directed to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org), Hospicare (www.hospicare.org), or a charity of your choice.
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