James R. Stevenson

James "Jim" Richard Stevenson of Trumansburg, age 84, died May 2, 2012, at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, NY, after a brief illness. He was born September 13, 1927, in Ithaca and spent his early years on the family farm on Harvey Hill Road in Enfield with his family, parents Clinton R. L. and Jennie L. (Smith) Stevenson, and his grandparents S. Frank Stevenson and Carrie B. (Harvey) Stevenson. He later moved with his parents to the Pine Ridge Farm in the town of Ulysses. On July 1, 1948 he married Georgianna Mae Herrmann, of Montour Falls.

James founded Stevenson Construction in the early 1950s and built nearly one hundred homes and commercial facilities, including the Ulysses Historical Society Museum. In his retirement, he competed in antique tractor pulls, winning many first place trophies with his 1949 Oliver 88. He will be remembered as an avid golfer, competitive bowler, winning card player, and master storyteller. He shared with his wife a love of travel, nature and animals. They enjoyed hosting family and friends at parties and reunions.

James is survived by his loving wife Georgianna; daughters Lynn Fisher of Santa Clara, CA and Wendy Stevenson of Springwater, NY; grandchildren Audrey (Yamil Saenz) Fisher of Santa Clara, CA, Donna (Robert Donnan) Walker Piffard, NY, and Douglas (Treva) Walker of Springwater, NY; great-grandchildren Morgan and Sophia Saenz, Lily and Burl Donnan, and Pearl and Orion Walker; siblings Joyce Clark, Marilyn Smith, Edward Stevenson, and Keith Stevenson; cousins; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son Joel Bruce; father Clinton and mother Jennie.

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg, 888 534 5466, www.ness-sibley.com. Burial will be Saturday May 5, at 12:30 at Hayt's Cemetery. A memorial reception will follow at the Ulysses Historical Society, 39 South Street, Trumansburg, from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Jim's memory to kindly consider the Ulysses Historical Society, PO Box 455, Trumansburg, NY 14886.

His family and community will greatly miss his enthusiasm, creativity, intelligence and many talents.