| Date of Birth | October 2, 1937 |
| Passed Away | January 13, 2008 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | January 16, 2008 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery |
JAMES R. WALL
HORNELL-James R. Wall, 70, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13, 2008), in the presence of his loving family, at his home at 50 Glen Ave.
Born in Norway, Mich. On Oct. 2, 1937, he was a son of the late August and Cecilia Ducharme Wall. On Aug. 22, 1959, he was married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell to the former Kathryn “Kay” Dean, who survives.
A graduate of Norway (Mich.) High School, Jim served with the U.S. Coast Guard from 1956 to 1960 patrolling the seas between Hawaii and Japan.
He has resided in Hornell since 1960 and was employed as part-owner of the former Mason Business Equipment Supply Company in Almond before becoming employed with CBN in Ithaca as a business manager of five radio stations in the Northeast. He was also associated with multiple Christian radio stations across the United States before he began his 25 years of employment with Cram Communications in Syracuse as station manager. After his retirement in 2006 he continued to be their consulting manager.
Jim was a very active member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where he served as the first Eucharistic Minister and for many years volunteered taping the weekend Mass for shut-ins. He was also a religious education teacher, a member of St. Ann’s School Parents Association, a member of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and a member of Cursillo.
A member and past-president of the Full Gospel Businessmen Assoc., he was also a member of the Young Businessmen Assoc., the Hornell Exchange Club and served as commissioner for the Boy Scouts of Steuben County. He served as coach for Cinderella Softball, the Grasshopper Little League and for T-ball. Also, he volunteered at the Hornell Family YMCA as a coach for Biddy Basketball, the Sunday School League and boxing training. In 1953 and 1954 he was the Golden Glove Boxing Champion in Wisconsin.
Jim was a Syracuse and Green Bay fan and was also an avid runner and had participated in various races.
In 2005 he was the very proud recipient of the Adult Deaf Person of the Year Award that he received from Aurora Central New York, Inc. for outstanding personal achievement.
He will be remembered most of all for being a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and brother. The times he enjoyed the most were the times he spent with his family.
His family includes his wife of nearly 49 years, Kay; his six children, Rev. Gus Wall, SVD, pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, Peter (Lisa) Wall of Canisteo, Thomas (Rose) Wall of Hornell, Mary Beth (David) Lindeman of North Hornell, Monica (Donald) Capluzzi of Hornell and Andrew James Wall also of Hornell; his 12 grandchildren, Kathryn, Nicholas, Jedidiah, Benjamin, Matthew, Alex, Olivia, Adam, Vinny, Ashley, Joey and Cecilia; his two sisters, Loma McConnell of Orlando, Fla., and Elizabeth (Terry) Carr of San Antonio, Tx.; his brother, William (Judith) Wall of Midland, Mich.; also nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his grandson, Zachary Wall in 1987.
To honor his wishes there will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by his son, Rev. Gus Wall at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either, St. Ann’s School Memorial Fund, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843, to the Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province, 199 Seminary Drive, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 or to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell.
We all leave our footprint on the world and clearly Mr. Wall left one that remains forever. His humanitarian care shows through in all that he accomplished in his life. I have not met the family but have the privilege of knowing Fr. Gus. As an SVD missionary priest, he walks in his father’s footsteps with the gift of example given by his father.
My sincerely sympathy,
Peggy Gansen
To the Wall Family, my prayers are with you. Remember that long before my Mr. Wall was conceived by his parents, he was God’s child. Mr. Wall’s purpose on this earth was fulfill. So our loving God said, come home and rest.Be strong, hold on to God…Never, Never give up on God.. He Loves You…
Fr. Gus & family,
I am so sorry for your loss. He sounded like a great guy.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Sympathies and prayers to the Wall Family.
Fr. Gus–
My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family for the past several months. At this time of loss I continue to pray for you, your dad and the rest of your family. May Mr. Wall find peace and joy in the loving embrace of his God.
Dear Friends-
Jim Wall was such an inspiration to those of us who aspire to be the best Catholic we can be. He was humble and kind, caring and giving and totally REAL! I just loved his sense of humor and the way that he made me feel special. He was encouraging and a true role model for those with hearing loss, as well. I know that he would just blush all over with all of these wonderful words of praise because he never wanted to draw attention to himself but now I can at least get a word in edgewise without him interrupting me!! I feel like this world has lost a great “little light” but I believe with all my heart that heaven is rejoicing that their beloved friend and faithful servant Jim is finally HOME!
Peace to all those who love him dearly!
Until we meet again
The world is better because of James Wall, his positive energy can never be lost.
To the Family of Father Wall
The residents and staff of Holy Trinity Villa would like to offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you…”
May God comfort your heart, and fill it with peace and know that he is with you in your time of sorrow.
I did not have the honor of meeting Mr. Wall personally but feel I know him in some ways through the homilies of son Fr. Gus Wall. I knew that Mr. Wall was a boxer and that in his later years he had a hearing impairment. I knew of Fr. Gus’s affection for his father through those homilies and other stories. He will now have the privilege and challenge of preaching the homily of his father’s funeral Mass. I am sure it will be one of deep affection and respect for the father who certainly influenced him on the path toward religious life and missionary priesthood. I was impressed by all the contributions Mr. Wall made to his parish and community. One doesn’t have to scratch very deeply below the surface to recognize those influences for helping others in Fr. Gus and surely other family members. Your family has much to celebrate in thanksgiving. You will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow especially.
Jim was a quiet, sensitive person who was well-loved by his classmates. He had a sense of humor and a special empathy for those around him. He had a wonderful life (per the e-mails we exchanged).He’s in God’s hands now!
Lorraine DeBernardi Moore
Class of ’56
Norway High School
Father Gus~ I read your Dad’s obituary. He certainly seems that he led a happy life among many people who loved him.
I’m sure he will be missed by many. Please accept my sympathy in your loss.
Fr. Gus–
My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family for the past several months. At this time of loss I continue to pray for you, your dad and the rest of your family. May Mr. Wall find peace and joy in the loving embrace of his God.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. It was great to have the chance to visit with Jim at our last class reunion. He was a special friend to all. I graduated with Jim from Norway High 1956.
Kay and Family,
Just a note to let you know how deeply sorry I am about Jamesy. He was a great guy. I was always welcomed into his house with usually a hug from him. In alot of ways, he was more of a father to me than my own. If there is a highest level of Heaven, I am sure he is there.
God Bless,
Mark McNelis
May God strengthen you, Father Gus, and your family as you grieve the death of your father. Our prayers are with you and your loved ones. Rely on the Word of Your Heavenly Father and HE will strengthen you and comfort you spiritually. Your family in Maurice, LA will always be here with a shoulder for you to lean on whenever you need. May God continue to Bless you.
Jim,
We are sorry to see you go, but we know you are in a better place.No more pain and suffering, but you will be missed. We all will meet when the Lord returns and you will get your crown and you will leave it at his feet because you dont think you deserve it, but we all know your heart and will cheer when He prsents it to you. Thank-you for all the unnoticed things you did for all of us. Jim will be truely missed but never forgotten.
In memory of James Walls.
And to the family of Father Gus Walls, mourning his departure and cherishing his beautiful memories as a family is living by faith. Often times we didn’t recognize the lessons that you learn so many times in life. Hold fast to the heart of the man you knew a “Father”. My prayers are with the family in this time of your need. Love is forever everlasting. Please accept this remembrance as my deepest sympathy
Our Condolences to the Wall Family!
May God’s Love, Peace, and Grace be yours at this time of bereavement!!!
Love in Christ,
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH MR. WALL AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. THANKS MR. AND MRS WALL FOR SHARING YOUR PRECIOUS SON, FR. GUS WALL, WITH US AT ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MAURICE, LA WHEN FR.GUS WAS A BROTHER AND THEN A PRIEST. WE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEEING OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHILE FR. GUS WAS IN MAURICE. MAY GOD BLESS.
To You Mr. Wall,
I see ya laughing, saying what took me so long,due to our previous talks(Spirit).
Remember last week I asked you if you could stay
You said it’s ok Act5:29 (Spirit)
I asked what about your Beautiful wife & Kids
You said it’s ok Pro7:2 & Matt5:4 (Spirit)
I asked would You come back and talk to me again sometime
You said it’s ok Matt 144:14 (Spirit)
And I said though our eyes never met, our spirits have, (it came through Your Son)
You said Yes 1Jn5:12 (Spirit)
I said THANKS Mr. James R. Wall FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB WELL DONE
You said it’s ok Rev. 21 (Spirit)
May The Kiss of GOD stay with YOU
Fr. Gus, Our sympathy go out to you and your family. We will keep all of you in our prayers. May God Bless!!!
Fr. Gus, Our sympathy go out to you and your family. We will keep all of you in our prayers. May God Bless!!!
Jim Wall was my boss in Tucson at KVOI Christian radio. He was a boss to us but also a mentor, a friend and a wonderful spiritual advisor. He reached out to everyone in need. While I was reeling from a divorce and having to raise three young daughters I had the privilege of working for him. I think that watching how a man of God really acts and reacts to life helped heal me of the pain I had gone through and prepared me for the wonderful husband, Ned, I have been blessed to be married to for 20 years. Kathy Thomas
Fr. Gus, may you find strength in this time of sorrow and know that friends are near, remembering you with each passing hour in loving thought and prayer. Isaiah 41:10-Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. You have our deepest sympathy.
Jim was my Boss, my Mentor and most of all my FRIEND for many years. But the titles that pleased him most were Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. Jim knew all the right things to say no matter the circumstances. He was willing to jump in and help in anyway he could. I always knew it was a long trip to / from Hornell. But doing it just once made me realize again what a sacrifice it was each and every week for all the years he did it. Although Jim didn’t like being away from his family he didn’t complain. Thank you for sharing him with us. I think we have all become better people from having him in our lives. Jim, I look forward to meeting you again….Job well done my friend!
I met Jim a few times through the Radio station. May God grant him eternal rest and may his way through purgatory be swift aided by the prayers and sacrifices of many.
Reading Mr. Wall’s obituary tells us , your dad was a loving and God filled man. Father Gus we can see where you get your God-Filled spirit. We would like to express our sincere condolence to the Wall family. Our prayers are with you.
Words & emotions from deep within our hearts fall way short of adequately expressing thanks to the Lord for the unblemished memories of knowing one of God’s choice members of His Kingdom. It was a distinct privilege to have worked with Jim who was Business Manager during my years as General Manager of CBN’s Northeast Radio Network headquartered in Ithaca. In my more than 50 years of broadcasting, few, if any, were as steadfast, thoughtful and caring as Jim Wall. He was a serious follower of Jesus with a bubbling sense of humor & a hearty laugh. I’ll never forget looking up one day to see him eat an entire apple, seeds & all! And raw, whole, onions, too! Healthy stuff, but it startled me. Many, many, other fun & fulfilling times with my friend, Jim. So thankful Lindy & were able to visit him & Kay last Fall. Love you, dear Jim. See you in the Father’s House one day.
Jim, we will surely miss you. Thank you again for all of your kindnesses to Charles John Burbridge. You will greatly be missed.