Obituary of James D. O'Shaughnessy

GOUVERNEUR - James D. O'Shaughnessy, age 88, formerly of Gouverneur and Massena, passed away on August 19, 2013. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, 16 Barnes St., Gouverneur on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at the St. James Catholic Church in Gouverneur on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with Father Stephen Rocker officiating. Burial will follow in the New St. James Cemetery, Gouverneur. James ( Jim), was born on February 10, 1925 in Pietra Santa, Italy, to American parents, the late Austin and Marjorie (Dempster) O'Shaughnessy. His family was in the marble business working with partners in Manhattan. His family moved to New Rochelle NY from Italy in 1930 where he graduated from high school and Iona College, with a B.S. in Chemistry. Mr. O'Shaughnessy served in the Army Air Corps during WWII from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945. He served with the 8th Air Force in England flying combat missions in B-24's as a gunner. He married Ruth I. Weber on April 16, 1949 at St. Helena's Church in the Bronx, NY. They moved to Gouverneur in 1964 where he worked for International Talc in product development. The couple lived in Gouverneur for 43 years; spending summers at Sylvia Lake. He was very involved in St. James Catholic Church as a communicant and lectern. The couple was also active with Gouverneur Community Players where they performed in many plays and musicals. They moved to Massena in 2007. Ruth O'Shaughnessy passed away on June 9, 2012. Jim was always positive, principled, and committed to many humanitarian causes including Catholic relief missions around the world and Right to Life. He was known for his ever present sense of humor and friendly nature. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Gouverneur Country Club. He is survived by his daughter, Patti O'Shaughnessy and Tom Caton of Bronxville, NY; three sons and their wives, Steven and Chantal of Massena, Kevin and Pattye of Sevierville, TN, and Brian and Kim of Potomac, MD. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Meagan McMahon, Isabel Caton, and Colleen, Molly, Lauren, Clara, Emily and Michael O'Shaughnessy; and 4 great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Andrew McMahon, Aidan Corner, and William Considine as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. He is predeceased by his wife, Ruth; a granddaughter, Kate O'Shaughnessy; his brother, Thomas O'Shaughnessy; and his three sisters, Josephine Ely, Grace O'Shaughnessy and Maureen Healey. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to Kate's Team, a family organized charity for cancer research, Terry Fox Run NYC at www.terryfoxrunnyc.org, The National Right to Life Organization or Catholic Charities. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.