James E. Tobin

James E. Tobin

HORNELL – James E. Tobin, 93, of Sawyer Street, passed away early Sunday afternoon (Dec. 31, 2023) at Elderwood at Hornell, after a long illness.

Born in Hancock, NY on March 20, 1930, he was a son of the late Neil and Marjorie (Schaffer) Tobin. On Oct. 13, 1956 he was married at St. John’s Church in Susquehanna, PA to Arlene E. (Westfall) Tobin, who predeceased him just two months ago on Oct. 31, 2023. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his stepmother, Vera Tobin; a special aunt, Dorothy Schaffer; one sister, Marilyn Sharretts and one brother, Jack Tobin.

A graduate of Hancock Central School, Jim also attended Alfred State College and proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to his honorable discharge in 1953.

He was a former resident of Binghamton, NY and has resided in Hornell since 1958 where he was employed with the former Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads and Conrail as a Chief Train Dispatcher. In 1980 he began his employment with the Bath-Hammondsport Railroad as General Manager, retiring in 1990.

Jim was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell and attended the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a former member of Hornell Council No. 243, Knights of Columbus and a member of the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440 in Hornell, where he also served as a past Historian.

For eight years he served as an alderman for the second and fifth ward (after reapportionment) for the City of Hornell and served on the Hornell City Housing Authority Board of Directors and was a Steuben County Supervisor for 10 years. He also volunteered for many years as a coach for both Little League Baseball and Biddy Basketball.

An avid Buffalo Bills fan and Hornell High School Boys Soccer fan, Jim enjoyed playing golf and traveling, especially to Myrtle Beach, SC during the winter months. Most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is lovingly survived by five children, Robert (Matilda) Tobin of Long Island, NY, Mary Beth (Charles) Purce of Binghamton, NY, Michael (Megan) Tobin of Boston, MA, James (Julie) Tobin of Hornell and Ann (Marty) O’Connor of Monroe, NY; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three half-brothers, Patrick (Joanne) Tobin of Florida, Terry (Joan) Tobin of Beacon, NY and David (Margaret) Tobin of California; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours are 2-5 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 7, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday (Jan. 8, 2024). Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.

The United State flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Jim’s military service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The family would like to express a special Thank You to the staff of Cranberry Lane at Elderwood at Hornell for the excellent care that Jim received.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Jim’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Jim are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.