2022
Our community sadly lost a pillar on December 3, 2022, when James J. VanVliet, III passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife, family and aide by his side after a nine-year stoic battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father, teacher, coach, fireman and a friend to all who knew him. He was 75. Jim’s life journey began in the spring of 1947, born to his proud parents, James & Cecelia VanVliet, who predeceased him. This was an exciting day since he was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. As a child, he loved to work with his father at VanVliet Block Co. Jim learned to drive and fix trucks at an early age. As an adolescent he continued this interest at Phil Martin’s gas station. At a family dinner one night, Jim announced that he wanted to be a mechanic and not attend college. His mother had a different career path for him so off to college he went. Jim quickly acclimated to college life at SUNY Oswego and joined Beta Tau Epsilon where he made many lifelong friendships. It was here that he met the love of his life Margery (Margie) Anderson. Jim and Margie married in June of 1970 and settled into life in Milton, NY where they raised their two wonderful children Kristin Jackson and James (Jamey) J. VanVliet, IV. Both Jim and Margie worked as teachers in the Marlboro Central School District until their retirement which allowed Jim the time to refine and expand his culinary skills. The family loved his breakfast pizza, sausage bread and Sunday dinners. Jim enjoyed good food, good bourbon and cooking for his family and community at Milton Engine Co. No. 1. He may have retired but he never stopped working. Jim continued to drive trucks and fix a variety of equipment. In his final years he most enjoyed working at Top Seed Landscape Design. Besides his family, Jim had two other loves. One was his coaching duties at Marlboro as Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Varsity Softball Coach. Often referred to as Coach VV, his former students and players remember him fondly as a tough teacher and coach but a mentor to all. His other love was the Milton Engine Co. No. 1. This was his second career and family. As an adolescent he became a junior fireman and would readily jump out of bed and rush out of the house with his father at any hour. Jim held multiple positions as he rose through the ranks of the fire company. Over the course of fifty-seven years of active service Jim served thirty-three as a line officer including twenty as chief. For the past seventeen years he was a fire commissioner. He was instrumental in buying new trucks and overseeing the expansion of the original firehouse. Jim exemplified all the attributes of a volunteer fireman and will be greatly missed by his brothers at Milton Engine Co. No. 1. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Margie, and his children: Kristin & husband Daniel Jackson, III, James VanVliet, IV & wife Tamara; grandchildren Daniel Jackson, IV & wife Amanda, Matthew Jackson, Emma Jackson, Chloe VanVliet and Ryan VanVliet; great grandchild Ruby Jackson; brother Dr. Martin VanVliet & wife Marita; sister Julie VanVliet Amodeo & husband Anthony; brother-in-law Robert Anderson & wife Mary; and many nieces & nephews. Jim will be sadly missed by all his loved ones and friends. His humor and “Jim-isms” will especially live on in our hearts. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at DiDonato Funeral Home, 1290 Route 9W, Marlboro, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Route 9W, Marlboro, NY, December 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM. Internment: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lattintown Road, Marlboro, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Milton Engine Co. No. 1. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to The DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. (845) 236-4300, www.didonatofuneralservice.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Joseph VanVliet III 2022.
Di Donato Funeral Services Inc
Death notice for the town of: Marlboro, state: New York