James Louis Ricks

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Ithaca College

James Ricks Obituary

Ricks, James Louis ALBANY James Louis Ricks, died Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Community Hospice of Albany, St. Peter's Hospital. He was born October 16, 1927 in New York City (Manhattan). He was the only child of the late James (Pappy) Ricks and Dolores White Ricks His formative years were spent in Manhattan and Brooklyn, N.Y. He went to live with his maternal grandfather in Ithaca, N.Y. and was graduated from Ithaca High School and later attended Ithaca College, Jim's father was a basketball star with the New York Renaissance in the 1920's and 30's. The team is enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Even though Jim contracted polio at an early age, he was athletically gifted and until his illness he was still actively involved with handball and golf. Jim was a national handball champion of the United States Handball Association. Jim had a long history of employment with the Airline Industry with Robinson, Mohawk, Allegany, U. S. Air and U. S. Airways. He was a member of the Albany Boy Friends for almost four decades. He is survived by Joan Jennings Belle Ricks, his wife of 37 years; a daughter, Gail (Dean) Williams; a son, James Ricks III; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their loving and tender care. A memorial service will be held Tuesday 2 p.m., January 11, 2011 at the Cathedral of All Saints, 62 So. Swan Street, Albany. Entombment will be in the Cathedral of All Saints. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. 12205.

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Published by Albany Times Union from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for James Ricks

10 Entries

Betsy Forsland

January 26, 2011

I am missing Jim so much every time I go to St. peter's NH. He has been the highlight of my volunteer visits there for quite a long time ! Such an interesting, funny, warm fellow. It isn't the same without him. Sincerely,Betsy Forsland

Sonya Moss

January 19, 2011

What a wonderful person I had the opportunity to visit as St. Peters Rehabilitation and Nursing home. Our family is so sadden to hear of his passing. My nine year old son loved playing checkers with Jim. I will miss playing Bingo on Sunday afternoons listening tease the others in the nursing. God Bless and Rest in Peace

January 12, 2011

Joan,
My sincere sympathy to you and your family at this time.
Betsy Murphy

January 11, 2011

Dear Joan,
I am so sorry for your loss. Reading Jim's obituary, it sounds as if he was a very special person. Aren't you lucky to have had such a wonderful man in your life all these years. Cherish your memories--they will help you get through the sad times. With my love and prayers for you and your family.
Sally Ann Farano Ryan

Carmen Scism

January 11, 2011

Joan and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I pray for your continued strength and courage in your time of sorrow.

Jill Bryce

January 10, 2011

I interviewed Jim years ago for a story I was doing at the Daily Gazette on the airline industry. He was extremely helpful and informative and I learned a lot from him. He was always kind and pleasant when I met him.

To Joan, Robin, Jay, and his daughter, son and grandchildren, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Jill Bryce

Dawn & Alden Hawkes

January 10, 2011

Gail, Dean and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you his peace and embrace your loved one in his mighty yet tender arms.

Jane Meharg

January 10, 2011

Dear Joan
May God Bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. My sincere sympathy
to you and yours.

Ellen Hansen

January 9, 2011

To the Family of Mr. Ricks,
I had the honor of working with him at Mohawk in NYC many, many years ago, 1965 to be precise. I thought I recognized his name, but it was his picture which made me realize that this was the man I had known and respected. It was my first airline job and he was one of my supervisors. I remember him as a gentle and intelligent man, who calmed many of the fears I had in handling the public. He assured me that I was competent and could handle anything that the passengers threw at me. Later, when Mohawk moved it's office out of NYC, I went to work for TWA, also in the reservations department and finally at Air France, also in reservations and then in the sales department. I retired from AF in 2007, after 35 years of service, due in great part to a very nice man who assured me that I WAS in the right place. (I moved here from NYC after my retirement to be near my daughter and her family and that is how I came to read of his passing.)
I hope it brings his family some solace to know that he is remembered fondly after all these years.

Bill Gleason

January 9, 2011

Joan, I was sad to learn of your husband's passing. You and he will be in my prayers.

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