CHAMPLAIN — James Amasa Daily Jr., 80, of Elm Street, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family under the care of Hospice of the North Country.
He was born Sept. 9, 1932, in Cincinnatus, N.Y., son of the late James A. and Miriam (Bourkle) Daily.
James served his country with U.S. Air Force for 13 years before being honorably discharged Oct. 13, 1961, to be closer to home and start his family. He worked for F.W. Myers and Trans Border as a Customs Broker. He also ran his own businesses for many years; J & M Grocery, J & M Forwarding and J & M Trailer Sales. He was Manager at North Country Golf & Country Club and worked at Champlain Peterbilt. He was a past Supervisor for the Town of Champlain, a 4th Degree Knight and past Grand Knight with Champlain Knights of Columbus Council #3525, a former St. Mary's Parish Council member, and a member of Champlain American Legion Post #767 and V.F.W.
James was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved to travel, having visited every state but Alaska. He loved golf and was a die-hard New York Yankees fan. However, he got the most enjoyment out of the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and all of the special children in his life that knew him as "Papa."
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marilyn (Gooley) Daily of Champlain; his daughter, Donna (Larry) Sorrell of Champlain; his son, James A. Daily III and companion Megan Carter of Halfmoon, N.Y., his loving grandchildren, Justin Sorrell, Megan Sorrell, Erin Sorrell, Kyle Daily and Kaeleigh Daily; one brother, Donald (Marge) Daily of Syracuse; three sisters, Betty (Rex) Buker of Clayton, N.Y., Sally Case of Cayahoga Falls, Ohio, and Barbara Smith of Liverpool, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Robert (Melissa) Gooley of Champlain; sister-in-law, Linda (Doug) Pilon of Chazy; and special nieces and nephews, Leah (Rene) Glascock, Emma Gooley, Logan Gooley and Carter Gooley.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his brothers, William and John Daily; and a sister, Jeanette Bargelski.
There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at St. Mary's Church, 86 Church St., Champlain, NY. Mass will be followed by a memorial remembrance celebrating James' life at the Knights of Columbus in Champlain.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of the North Country, 358 Tom Miller Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or to Champlain E.M.S., PO Box 837, Champlain, NY 12919.
Arrangements are in the care of M.B. Clark Funeral Home, 196 Elm St., Champlain, NY. To share a thought or memory and to light a virtual candle in memory of James, please visit the family's guestbook at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com and click obituaries.
