James Angus Paterson

James Angus Paterson of Garnerville, NY passed away peacefully, on September 1st, 2019 at the age of 95. He spent the final days of his long dedicated and loving life surrounded by family.

  James was born June 23, 1924 in Pearl River, NY to Ethel W. Butler and Britain S. Paterson. James attended Pearl River High School and was an exceptional student and athlete. He, along with his brothers Brit and Fraser graced the local high school sports pages regularly. He was Captain and All County in both football and basketball. James joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17 and served our great country as a Heavy Antiaircraft Crew Gunman in the South Pacific. My father rarely spoke of the war, and we always respected that, and knew he had good reasons for it.

  Upon his return, he married the love of his life Alice G. Bullingham on April 21st, 1946 and   now joins his beloved wife in heaven. Like many after the war, they lived at Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, NY. Then moving in 1956, along with other military families, to Garnerville, NY, where he has been a lifelong resident. He attended both LIU and Columbia University, achieving his Master’s Degree in Physical Education. Dads dream was to become a coach like his father. During that time he took on many different jobs to pay for his schooling. He was an extremely gifted tradesman with great mechanical ability, so plumbing and heating quickly became his favorite profession. Since he was just starting a family, for financial reasons, he decided to pursue the trade he loved and knew so well. James was a proud union member of The United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters until he retired. He was often referred to as “the singing plumber” by his friends and customers. His melodious baritone voice could usually be heard while he was working. He was a gentle, loving and devoted husband, father and friend.

 During the latter part of his life, James was always a happy, content soul and lovingly cared for at home by his daughter in law Helen and son Brit.

 James was predeceased by his wife Alice, daughter Mari-Alice McDermott and her husband John W. McDermott, brothers Fraser Paterson, and Britain Paterson, sisters Ethel Matern, Isabel Wesel, and Jane Wingrove.

 James is survived by daughter Bonnie Paterson Duffy and husband Peter M Duffy, son James A. Paterson Jr. and wife Norma Leon, son Britain F. Paterson and wife Helen, sisters Charlotte Swift, and Edith “Babe” Yonker, grandchildren Michael S. McDermott, Timothy J. McDermott, Kathleen M. McDermott, Peter J. Duffy, James G. Paterson, Thomas J. Paterson, and 11 great grandchildren. He’s also survived by nieces Charlotte “Lolly” Swift and Jane Senor, along with many other nieces, nephews and their families.

 Family and friends will be received Friday Sept. 6th, 3 – 5 and 7 – 9, at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, NY. A memorial service will be on Saturday Sept. 7th, 10am at The United Methodist Church, 130 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, NY. Followed by burial at Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 220 Brick Church Rd., Spring Valley, NY 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Angus Paterson, please visit our floral store.