James Francis Kane

1940 - 2025

James Francis Kane

May 5, 1940 - May 25, 2025

James Francis Kane, 85, of Fort Edward, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2025, with his daughters by his side after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jim was born on May 5, 1940, in Batavia, N.Y. He moved to Glens Falls, N.Y. as an infant and was raised by his loving mother, Helen McCormick Kane. Jim attended St. Mary's Academy, where he excelled in both academics and sports. Jim was a three-sport athlete, achieving the nickname "Killer Kane," a name he is still referred to by his childhood friends. After graduating from St. Mary's in 1958, Jim went on to Niagara University, graduating in 1962, often hitchhiking his way to and from there. After graduation Jim entered the United States Army. He served in both Korea and in the United States before being honorably discharged. Jim married the love of his life, Elaine O'Neil, in 1966. Following a brief stint in Connecticut, Jim and Elaine moved to Fort Edward where they spent the next 56 years. Jim worked in the field of human resources at three local hospitals, serving as vice president of human resources at Glens Falls Hospital for many years. He made so many friends in these jobs.

Jim was a man of great faith, integrity and character. Jim was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls. He attended daily Mass when that was offered for many years, and in his retirement he volunteered extensively with the Church in various capacities starting as an altar boy. Jim was also involved with St. Mary's Academy, serving on the school board including several years as president. He also regularly served as a weekly volunteer with the St. Mary's food pantry.

Jim's greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Jim was the most amazing dad and grandfather to his two daughters and his five grandchildren. He was a beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews and like a second dad to Jenny's and Beth's friends. Some of Jim's hobbies included golf, gardening, reading, and completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. Jim was an incredibly smart man with a quick witted sense of humor. He was sharp a s a tack, right up until the end. What a remarkable knack he had for remembering everyone's name, he only had to meet you once, and he'll know you forever. He took pride in growing up in 'Hometown USA' Glens Falls and loved to share his knowledge of the area's history. At 7:30 for the last several decades Jim could be found watching and beating the Jeopardy contestants. Grammar and punctuation were very important to Jim. He would often edit the local newspapers (unsolicited) and nothing irked him more than a misplaced apostrophe.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Elaine; his mother, Helen; his son-in-law, John Barbieri, Jr.; mother- and father-in-law Joe and Vera O'Neil; brothers and sister-in-law, Colleen and Bob Hogan and Kevin O'Neil; and close cousins: Jack (and his wife, Barbara), Mike, Paul, and Joe Sheehan, and Mary Donovan.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Jennifer of Glens Falls and Beth (Tom Rice) of White River Junction, Vt.; grandchildren: Indigo and Finnegan Kopp, Josephina, Brady and Kyle Barbieri; sister-in-law, Eloise O'Neil; cousin, Peggy Sheehan; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls, followed by a burial with military honors at Saint Mary's Cemetery in South Glens Falls. Family and friends are invited to call on the family at Singleton Funeral Home (405 Bay Road, Queensbury) from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2. In lieu of flowers please send a remembrance in Jim's name to St. Mary's Academy, the school that meant so much to our family. To carry on Jim's giving spirit, we suggest that friends and family bring a non-perishable food item to the wake or funeral to be donated to the food pantry, where Jim spent many hours volunteering.

Jim's family would like to give a sincere appreciation to the caring and dedicated Eddy team that came to the home and to the wonderful nursing staff at Glens Falls Hospital.