Obituary of James A. Catchpole

James A. "Jim" Catchpole, age 89, a recent, brief resident of Plainfield, IL, former longtime resident of Rome, died on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, Joliet, IL. He was born March 7, 1923 in Utica. Jim was united in marriage to the former Ruth Lavon Ruse, on August 4, 1945, in Washington, DC; she died February 6, 1994. Jim is survived by three daughters, Penny (Alan) Leupold of Plainfield, Kelly (Jeff) Rogers of Minooka, IL and Terry (Dennis Rahauiser) Catchpole of Rome, NY, seven grandchildren, Chris (Sandie) LaGasse of Rome, NY, Shawn (Steve) Edwards of Rome, NY, James (Megan) LaGasse of New Hartford, NY, Emily (Joel) Lipp of Lake Ozark, MO, Kimberly Leupold of Plainfield, IL, Abby Rogers of Manhattan, NY and Kacy Rogers of Minooka, IL, nine great-grandchildren, Mickey, Kristen, Mike, Remmy, Mason, Pam, Nick, Alex and Ryley, a sister-in-law, Betty Marie Ruse of Saugus, CA and a cousin, Sharon Wallace (Dick) Schultz of Apache Junction, AZ. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marion O. (the late Bill) Murlin (nee Drought). Jim grew up in Utica, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II - taking part in the Battle of Guadalcanal - and also serving during the Korean War. An excellent baseball player, Jim pitched for the Marine Corps baseball team and later the Baltimore Oriole's farm system. A bricklayer/mason by trade, Jim was a lifetime member and former business agent of the International Union of Bricklayers and Masons, America Charter #50. He served as Clerk of the Works for numerous construction projects for Oneida County, NY and built several brick works of art throughout his community and in Illinois. Jim, along with his wife, owned and operated JaRu Hilltop Kennels, Ava, NY. He was a longtime member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Jim always had a cheerful outlook on life. He enjoyed being with his family along with numerous outdoor activities including fishing, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, and sled-dog racing. Later in life Jim enjoyed traveling with his daughters and their families. Family and friends will meet for graveside services on Saturday September 8, 2012, 1:00 PM at Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Lee. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431, (815)740-4104 or Masonic Care Community of New York, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.