James Samuel Andrecheck of South Columbia, NY, passed away on May 24, 2023, at the Valley Health Services nursing home in Herkimer, NY, at the age of 101.
Jim was born on September 27, 1921, in Barry's Bay, Canada, to Martin and Johanna Andrecheck, one of nine children. When Jim was two, the family immigrated to a farm near Jordanville, NY; he became a naturalized US citizen in 1928.
Right after Jim turned 18, he left high school and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on October 6, 1939. He served as a flight engineer and ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers during WWII and flew over 50 combat missions in the Mediterranean theater. Jim was honorably discharged on May 31, 1945, having achieved the rank of master sergeant. For his valor and heroism, he earned many medals, including the prestigious French Legion of Honor medal bestowed upon him by the French government for his role in liberating France. Jim was truly part of "the greatest generation."
After his discharge, Jim returned home, married his wife Mary, went to work in the trucking business, then later became a heavy equipment operator for road construction companies until his retirement at age 65. He and Mary raised four children in their home in South Columbia.
Jim finally received his high school diploma from Owen D. Young Central School on June 24, 2001, through a program called Operation Recognition which "recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all Veterans who left school early." This graduation ceremony and diploma meant a lot to him. Jim loved tending his vegetable garden, foraging for giant puff balls and other wild mushrooms, and polka dancing.
Jim is survived by his wife of 76 years, Mary, his children Cindy, Tim, Bill, and Ray (Holly), his grandchild, Sky (Sarah), great granddaughter,Adeline, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Johanna, and his eight siblings Joe, Bob, Tom, Frank, Beatrice, Dorothy, Francis, and Helen.
Funeral services will be held at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home in Richfield Springs on June 9, 2023. Visitation will be from 9-11am, with a service to follow at 11am. Burial with military honors will follow at the St. Joseph's Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Richfield Springs. Rest in peace, Jim.
A memorial mass will be held June 7th 12pm at St Joseph's The Worker Church in Richfield Springs
Jim was born on September 27, 1921, in Barry's Bay, Canada, to Martin and Johanna Andrecheck, one of nine children. When Jim was two, the family immigrated to a farm near Jordanville, NY; he became a naturalized US citizen in 1928.
Right after Jim turned 18, he left high school and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on October 6, 1939. He served as a flight engineer and ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers during WWII and flew over 50 combat missions in the Mediterranean theater. Jim was honorably discharged on May 31, 1945, having achieved the rank of master sergeant. For his valor and heroism, he earned many medals, including the prestigious French Legion of Honor medal bestowed upon him by the French government for his role in liberating France. Jim was truly part of "the greatest generation."
After his discharge, Jim returned home, married his wife Mary, went to work in the trucking business, then later became a heavy equipment operator for road construction companies until his retirement at age 65. He and Mary raised four children in their home in South Columbia.
Jim finally received his high school diploma from Owen D. Young Central School on June 24, 2001, through a program called Operation Recognition which "recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all Veterans who left school early." This graduation ceremony and diploma meant a lot to him. Jim loved tending his vegetable garden, foraging for giant puff balls and other wild mushrooms, and polka dancing.
Jim is survived by his wife of 76 years, Mary, his children Cindy, Tim, Bill, and Ray (Holly), his grandchild, Sky (Sarah), great granddaughter,Adeline, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Johanna, and his eight siblings Joe, Bob, Tom, Frank, Beatrice, Dorothy, Francis, and Helen.
Funeral services will be held at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home in Richfield Springs on June 9, 2023. Visitation will be from 9-11am, with a service to follow at 11am. Burial with military honors will follow at the St. Joseph's Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Richfield Springs. Rest in peace, Jim.
A memorial mass will be held June 7th 12pm at St Joseph's The Worker Church in Richfield Springs
James Samuel Andrecheck of South Columbia, NY, passed away on May 24, 2023, at the Valley Health Services nursing home in Herkimer, NY, at the age of 101.
Jim was born on September 27, 1921, in Barry's Bay, Canada, to Martin and Johanna Andrecheck, one of nine children. When Jim was two, the family immigrated to a farm near Jordanville, NY; he became a naturalized US citizen in 1928.
Right after Jim turned 18, he left high school and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on October 6, 1939. He served as a flight engineer and ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers during WWII and flew over 50 combat missions in the Mediterranean theater. Jim was honorably discharged on May 31, 1945, having achieved the rank of master sergeant. For his valor and heroism, he earned many medals, including the prestigious French Legion of Honor medal bestowed upon him by the French government for his role in liberating France. Jim was truly part of "the greatest generation."
After his discharge, Jim returned home, married his wife Mary, went to work in the trucking business, then later became a heavy equipment operator for road construction companies until his retirement at age 65. He and Mary raised four children in their home in South Columbia.
Jim finally received his high school diploma from Owen D. Young Central School on June 24, 2001, through a program called Operation Recognition which "recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all Veterans who left school early." This graduation ceremony and diploma meant a lot to him. Jim loved tending his vegetable garden, foraging for giant puff balls and other wild mushrooms, and polka dancing.
Jim is survived by his wife of 76 years, Mary, his children Cindy, Tim, Bill, and Ray (Holly), his grandchild, Sky (Sarah), great granddaughter,Adeline, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Johanna, and his eight siblings Joe, Bob, Tom, Frank, Beatrice, Dorothy, Francis, and Helen.
Funeral services will be held at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home in Richfield Springs on June 9, 2023. Visitation will be from 9-11am, with a service to follow at 11am. Burial with military honors will follow at the St. Joseph's Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Richfield Springs. Rest in peace, Jim.
A memorial mass will be held June 7th 12pm at St Joseph's The Worker Church in Richfield Springs
Jim was born on September 27, 1921, in Barry's Bay, Canada, to Martin and Johanna Andrecheck, one of nine children. When Jim was two, the family immigrated to a farm near Jordanville, NY; he became a naturalized US citizen in 1928.
Right after Jim turned 18, he left high school and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on October 6, 1939. He served as a flight engineer and ball turret gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers during WWII and flew over 50 combat missions in the Mediterranean theater. Jim was honorably discharged on May 31, 1945, having achieved the rank of master sergeant. For his valor and heroism, he earned many medals, including the prestigious French Legion of Honor medal bestowed upon him by the French government for his role in liberating France. Jim was truly part of "the greatest generation."
After his discharge, Jim returned home, married his wife Mary, went to work in the trucking business, then later became a heavy equipment operator for road construction companies until his retirement at age 65. He and Mary raised four children in their home in South Columbia.
Jim finally received his high school diploma from Owen D. Young Central School on June 24, 2001, through a program called Operation Recognition which "recognizes the devotion and sacrifice of all Veterans who left school early." This graduation ceremony and diploma meant a lot to him. Jim loved tending his vegetable garden, foraging for giant puff balls and other wild mushrooms, and polka dancing.
Jim is survived by his wife of 76 years, Mary, his children Cindy, Tim, Bill, and Ray (Holly), his grandchild, Sky (Sarah), great granddaughter,Adeline, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Johanna, and his eight siblings Joe, Bob, Tom, Frank, Beatrice, Dorothy, Francis, and Helen.
Funeral services will be held at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home in Richfield Springs on June 9, 2023. Visitation will be from 9-11am, with a service to follow at 11am. Burial with military honors will follow at the St. Joseph's Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Richfield Springs. Rest in peace, Jim.
A memorial mass will be held June 7th 12pm at St Joseph's The Worker Church in Richfield Springs
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