James Debiase, Jr.

James Patrick DeBiase, Jr., age 76 of Wilson , died Monday October 17, 2011 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, after a brief illness. James was born August 24, 1935 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late James P. Sr. and Ann (Colosi) DeBiase. He graduated with his B.S. in 1957, and received his Master's in Teaching from Niagara University in 1959. James taught Science at Lewiston Porter Schools from 1959 to 1964. In 1964 he received his Masters in Natural Science from Syracuse University. James married Sonja M. Chylak July 1, 1961 and they have resided in Wilson since then. James left teaching later in the 1960's and worked at Bell Aerospace. In the 1970's and 1980's he worked for Carborundum Co. in Niagara Falls. James then went to work for St. Gobain Development Center in Niagara Falls and retired in 2000 as a Senior Research Engineer. James was a communicant of St. Brendan on the Lake RC Church in Wilson. He enjoyed reading and camping. In addition to his wife of 50 years, Sonja, he is survived by his children, Jeanine (Darryl) Johnson of Wilson, James K. (Esther) DeBiase of North East, MD, Jerauld DeBiase of Boiling Spring, SC, and Jonathan (Kimberly) DeBiase of Newfane; and his grandchildren, Joshua and Patrick Johnson, Andrew, John, Rebecca, Jessica, Allie May, James R., and Ainsley DeBiase. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Tuesday from 7 - 9 PM and Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 20, at 10:00 AM in St. Brendan on the Lake RC Church, 359 Lake St. Wilson, with the Rev. John Leising officiating. Burial will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 609, 250 Young St., Wilson, NY 14172-0609 or to the Wilson Free Library, 265 Young St., Wilson, NY 14172-0609.