Obituary of James E. Galusha

Athol: James Elliott Galusha, 78, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 2nd, 2019 at the Glens Falls Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 5th, 1941 in Olmstedville, New York to parents Leon and Estella Galusha. Jim grew up in Johnsburg, attending Johnsburg Central School, with his siblings, Eugene, Myrna, Joseph, Georgia and Richard. On August 1st of 1959, Jim and Norma Jean Hastings were married in the United Methodist Church in Johnsburg. August 1st of this year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. They raised two sons, Randy and Patrick, on the family farm on Charles Olds Road in Athol. Jim worked in many trades during his life and was owner or co-owner of several businesses. In his early years and at various times throughout his life he had a logging business, but he was mostly known as a heavy equipment operator. As a young man he worked for the NYSDOT for 7 years and in the 1980’s he joined with his son Patrick as they co-owned Patrick J. Galusha Construction until his retirement. Jim also attended the Fort Smith Auction School and ran an auction service for a number of years. He was well known for doing charity auctions throughout the region. Jim was Town Justice in the Town of Thurman for 6 years and Town Supervisor for 4 years. He also owned Toad Hill Maple Farm with his son Randy, but he is probably best known for his passion for horses which he developed as a young man growing up on the family farm in Johnsburg. In the 1960’s he began Toad Hill Stud Farm where he trained, bred, boarded, bought and sold horses. Jim travelled throughout New York successfully competing in horse shows and later competing in team roping at local rodeos. While he was known for the many good horses he raised, the one that was most special to him was Long Shadows Duke, an American Quarter Horse that he raised from a colt and trained as a reining horse. Shad, as he was known, was a black stallion and James and he won many competitions in some of the biggest horse shows in New York. Jim loved to take Sunday drives and to travel out west with Norma where they went to many horse auctions and rodeos. Besides his passion for horses the thing that probably best defined who Jim was, was his willingness to do anything for his family and friends. He had a kind and generous heart and was always there to do anything his family or friends needed. He was a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather, and he took great joy in helping his sons to be successful in their many ventures. Friends and family always knew there was a warm cup of coffee waiting for them when they visited the farm. Jim cared for Norma at home until her passing in January of this year. Jim was predeceased by his wife Norma, his parents Leon and Estella and his brothers Eugene and Joseph. Left to cherish his memory are his brother Richard (Kathy) Galusha, sisters Myrna Rhodes and Georgia (Richard) Kenyon, sister-in-law Norma Galusha, sisters-in-law Marylin Becker and Karen Deuel, sons Randy (Jill) Galusha and Patrick (Katie) Galusha, grand children Lindsey Galusha, Nathan (Kaleigh) Galusha, Taylor Galusha and Justin Galusha, great grand child Ryan Marie Prosser, several nieces and nephews and special family friend Mary Kenyon. The family would like to give special thanks to the folks who cared for Jim on Tower floor 2 of the Pruyn Pavillion and at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center. Friends may call on Jim’s family from 1 to 4 pm, Wednesday May 8, 2019 at the Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street in Warrensburg. A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will immediately follow the visitation at 4 pm at the funeral home and burial for both Jim and Norma will follow at the Warrensburg Cemetery. A dinner will be held after the burial at the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg at 2 Stewart Farrar Avenue. In lieu of flowers a “Tribute Gift” can be made in Jim’s name to the Glens Falls Hospital at www.GlensFallsHospital.org/Foundation or by calling 518-926-5960 or by mailing a check to the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, 126 South Street, Glens Falls, NY 12810. Donations can also be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg, 2 Stewart Farrar Avenue, Warrensburg, NY 12885. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.