James McElhinny

1959 - 2025

James McElhinny, 66, of New Alexandria, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. He was born Aug. 11, 1959, in McKeesport, the son of Patricia E. (Bidleman) McElhinny and the late James P. McElhinny. James was a member of St. Sylvester Church, Slickville. James started his military service in the U.S. Army as a member of Delta Company and then later transferred to the U.S. Air Force 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh as a heavy equipment operator and retired as an E6 staff sergeant. He was the owner of McElhinny Plumbing Inc. in New Alexandria and worked for Local 354 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union in Youngwood. James was also the co-owner of Krivacsy Farm, New Alexandria. James will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 37 years, Laura Joan (Krivacsy) McElhinny; sons, Ethan J. McElhinny and Kevin P. McElhinny; sisters, Maureen A. McElhinny VMD and fiancee, Art M. Timko, and Susan E. (Christopher J.) Sever; sisters-in-law, Carol A. McLean (Dan), Christine A. Polka (Alan), and Teresa Krivacsy (Nick Pakos); nieces and nephews, Jessica Sever Nickerson (Christian), Christopher Sever (Lauren Riley), Jacqulyn Sever Saleeby (George), Joseph Polka, and Julia Polka Wnek (Zach); great-nieces and nephews, Blake, Ryder, Peyton, Cayden, Alexis, Andy, Eli, and Jacob; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. The family would like to thank Hillman Cancer Clinic, Greensburg, Independence Home Health and Hospice, and all our friends and community for their love and support. Family and friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at VAIA FUNERAL HOME INC., 463 Athena Dr., Delmont, (724-468-1177). A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at St. Sylvester Church, Slickville. Everyone is to meet at church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in James's memory may be made to Team Friends, 1773 Pine Hollow Road, McKees Rocks, PA 15136; the Autism Society of Westmoreland County, PO Box 825, Greensburg, PA 15601; and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, npcf.us. To send online expressions of sympathy or obtain grief support information or directions, please visit www.VaiaFuneralHome.com.