NORWICH – James L. Rahn, 80, long time Norwich resident, passed away Friday afternoon, Sept. 14, 2007, in the Gilmour Health Care Facility.
Jim was born in Utica, the youngest of seven children, to Leo and Alice Koehl Rahn in February of 1927. As a young boy Jim moved with his family to the Binghamton and Chenango Forks area before moving to Norwich in 1935. He attended the Norwich schools and following his education entered the United States Army serving his country from April of 1945 until his honorable discharge in December of 1946. On Aug. 14, 1947 he married Josephine Bucklin Rahn, who passed away in 1979 and he later married Laura VanPelt, who passed away in 2000. Jim began his working career with the W.H. Dunne Co. and its successor Victory Markets Inc. working with the company in their warehouse for 43 years, retiring in 1987.
Jim was a man who enjoyed life. He was a true outdoorsman and conservationist who had a great respect for all of nature and truly enjoyed his hunting and fishing. Jim will best be remembered by his ability to remember every joke he had ever heard and his friends could count on him to share a joke with them whenever they met.
Jim is survived by his son, James Rahn of Norwich; his daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Michael Tobey of Oxford; his grandchildren Ashleigh and Jennifer Rahn both of Norwich and David Tobey of Norwich, Brooke and Adam Tobey all of Oxford; and his great-granddaughter Lillie Shea. Also surviving is his brother, Clayton Rahn of Toronto, Canada, along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides his first wife Josephine and second wife Laura, Jim was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Rahn and Alice Leach, and his brothers Allen, Leo and Wilbur “Bud” Rahn.
Graveside services for Jim will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Warn Ten Broeck Cemetery of Brisben. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church will officiate.
At Jim’s request, there will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St. Norwich, NY 13815.
Jim’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Gilmour Health Care Facility and to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.