James M. "Jim" Kosmala

1937 - 2024

James M. 'Jim' Kosmala

ALLEGANY - James M. "Jim" Kosmala, of Five Mile Road, passed away peacefully Monday (June 24, 2024) at Absolut Care of Allegany, surrounded by his loving family.

Born Feb. 8, 1937, in Gowanda, he was a son of Benedict and Leona Kochaniec Kosmala. In 1957 at St. Leo's Church in Buffalo, he married his lifetime love, Susan F. Santa Lucia, with whom he had six children.

Jim was a graduate of Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo and then graduated from Canisius College. He received his master's in business administration from St. Bonaventure University.

He began his career in Buffalo for Allied Chemical. In 1967 he and his family moved to Allegany, where he worked as a research chemist for Dexter Hysol Co. For a period of time, he was employed by Ablon Chemical Co. in New Jersey. He then began self-employment until his retirement in 2006.

Jim was an active member of St. Bonaventure Church and was a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan. He was a 25-year member of the National Ski Patrol at the former Wing Hollow, and was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.

He loved travel, whether it was 40 years of annual travel to the Jersey Shore with his family, the many cruises to various places in the world or the trips taken with the Allegany 60-Plus in recent years, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Jim was utterly and completely devoted to his wife Susan of 67 years, and also to his family. He will be sadly missed by Susan; his five children, Lynn (Mike) Oeser of Jefferson, N.C., Sharon Notaro of Williamsville, Jim (Eileen) Kosmala of Denver, N.C., Kristy (Rich) Anderson of Newburgh and Amy (Ed) Nemitz of Middlesex; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Dianne Woolingham of West Seneca; one brother, Paul Kosmala of California; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Jeff Kosmala in 2013; and a grandson, Andy Kosmala in 2008.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation from 10 until 11:15 a.m. Friday (June 28, 2024) at St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany. A memorial mass will begin at 11:15 a.m. in the church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, will be the celebrant. Burial of his cremated remains will be alongside his son Jeff in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are by Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.