Robert W. James

SCHENECTADY – Robert W. James, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, at Ellis Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Bob was born in South Schenectady, on June 29, 1933 a son of the late R. Watson and Gwendolyn Gothwaite James. He graduated from Draper High School and served in the United States Air Force, during the Korean War. A resident of the Goosehill neighborhood for many years, Bob owned and operated RJ & Sons Refuse Service. He later worked for CDTA as a bus driver, retiring after 15 years of service. Bob was an honorable and faithful man, devoted to his family, friends and community. He was a member of the Rotterdam Elks, VFW Post #1895 and a communicant and festa worker at St. Anthony's Church.
Bob was predeceased by his brother, George E. James, George Warren James and Charles James.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Evelyn Bianchi James, whom he married on September 19, 1954; loving children, Robert James and his wife Marilyn, of Pattersonville, Richard W. James, of Schenectady and Terrie Lee Loudermilk, of Niskayuna; grandchildren, Tiffany James, Benjamin (Heather) James and Brian Loudermilk, Jr.; great-grandson, Caedmon James; sisters and brothers-in-law, Amelia and Anthony "Bunny" Pedone, Enrico "Muzzy" and Mary Frances "Bonnie" Bianchi and Marilyn James. Many dear nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Services will be held on Saturday morning at 8am from the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street (at N. Jay) and then to St. John the Evangelist Church, Union Street, where a Mass will be celebrated at 9am. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Rotterdam.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 7 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob's memory to St. Anthony's Church Restoration Fund, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY 12305 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, PO Box, 1000, Dept. 147, Memphis, TN 38148.