PLATTSBURGH — The Rev. James D. Sorley died peacefully at home on Nov. 27, 2012.
James was born in Ottawa, Ontario, April 4, 1927. He was the son of the late John Neil and Eunice Blair Sorley.
He was a graduate of Macdonald College, McGill University (1951), The University of Michigan, School of Public Health (1956), The United Theological College of McGill (1963). James worked for the Ottawa Dept. of Health as a dairy inspector, and later as Director of Quality Control for the Lawson Milk Co., Akron, Ohio. In 1961 he was ordained Deacon in the Methodist Church and Elder in 1963.
Rev. Sorley served churches throughout Troy Conference which included the state of Vermont and eastern New York. He served on various Boards of the Conference and chaired the Conference Ministry of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. In 1975, he attended the Educational Convention in London and later served as a Methodist Exchange pastor in Dorchester, England.
Churches served during his ministry were: Georgia and St. Albans Bay, Vt. (1961-65); North Chatham and Niverville, N.Y. (1965-69); Jonesville/Clifton Park, N.Y. (1969-78); Lake Placid, N.Y. (1978 to 86); St. Albans, Vt. (1986-90). In retirement, Rev. Sorley served Willsboro Church of Christ, Dannemora Methodist, Clintonville and Ausable Methodist, Moriah, Essex Community Church.
Rev. Sorley is survived by his wife Elsa Motz of 52 years, whom he married Dec. 23, 1960. Also four daughters, Margot Sorley, Sheila and William Tavares of Lake Placid; Karen and Adam Brieant of Camillus, N.Y.; Gwen and Peter Freer of Asheville, N.C.; seven grandchildren, James and Ian LaHart; Alexis, Lauren and Cameron Brieant, Noah and Natalie Tavares; two sisters, Isabelle Hume and Margaret Sorley; a sister-in-law Audrey Sorley; nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a brother Neil, and older brother Hugh, RCAF, lost over the North Sea while on coastal patrol, 1944.
Upon retirement, the Sorley's traveled in Europe and in 1991 established the Sunburst Tea Garden, serving English Tea at their property on the shores of Lake Champlain in Essex, N.Y. In 2001, they retired to Lake Forest Senior Housing in Plattsburgh.
A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, at the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church, Beekman Street. Following the service, the family invites you to a reception at the Lake Forest Senior Residence. Memorials may be made to: Hospice of the North Country, 35 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or the church of your choice.
The M.B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, N.Y. is in charge of arrangements.
