James A. Bish

He was born June 16, 1945, in Pitcairn, PA, the son of the late Raymond S. and Zelda MaeOliver Bish.

Jim attended Sherman Central School. He then proudly served his nation in the United StatesNavy but he never set foot on a ship. Instead from 1962 until 1966 he flew on a sub hunter/killer aircraft as a Sonar-Radar Operator. After the service he worked for Westfield post office and worked as a welder and machinist for Renold Ajax in Westfield, NY, and retired in 1985.

Jim was a life member of the Mayville Conservation Club, a member of the Mayville William L. Travis Post 493 American Legion, the Lake Chautauqua VFW Post 8647, the Gold Prospectors Association of America, and the Lost Dutchmen Mining Association. He had also served as a Boy Scouts of America Scout Master and a Little League Baseball Coach.

He enjoyed being in the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, woodworking, his dogs, Bingo, and going to the Oliver Family Reunions. Most of all he enjoyed time with his family. Those that were related by blood and those that he cared for as if they were his own. In his mind they were.

Jim is survived by his loving wife; Carol Calhoun Bish, whom he married September 24, 1966, in Sherman, NY, his daughter; Pamela (Dan) Farnham of Portland, NY, a son; Robert (Katina) Bish of Mayville, NY, five grandchildren; Brandi Nipper, Courtney Daniel, Ryan Moore, Chad Cato, and Patrick Tucker, three great-grandchildren; Preston, Braydon, and Evelyn, one brother; Clifford (Ceciell) Bish of Virginia, three sisters; Susan (Neil) Kehrli of Florida, Linda Beckerink of Texas, and Stella Bish of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son; Ronald Lee Bish, and six siblings; Ruth Wilcox, Virginia Schwartz, Charles Bish, Dorothy Anderson, Georgia Leonard, and Raymond Bish.

At Jim’s request, there will be no public services observed. A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com.