James G. Ayling

James G. Ayling, 71, of Stephentown, NY passed away August 8, 2018 after a long battle with lung cancer.
He was born July 26, 1947 in Jamestown, NY to Frances Rudgers Ayling and Paul Crosby Ayling. Jim was predeceased by his parents and first wife, Bonnie Gilbert Ayling.
In 1992, Jim married Mary Margaret Ryan and they just celebrated their 26th anniversary.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sister Sandra (Don) Rothra of Arizona, his daughters, Ronni (William) Jones of Stephentown, NY, Barbara (Robert) Schafer of East Nassau, NY, his son, James Paul Ayling of Stephentown, NY, stepson, Peter Garivaltis of Vermont, and stepdaughter, Brigid (Douglas) Miller of East Nassau, NY. He has 8 grandchildren whom he adored: Danielle, Nolan and Cole Jones, Emily and Holly Schafer, Sophia Garivaltis, and Harlow and Ryan Miller, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated from Jamestown High School in 1965. He worked at Automatic Voting Machines in Jamestown before serving in the Army in Vietnam. His passion was police work and he became a New York State Trooper in 1973. He served NYS until his retirement as a Senior Investigator for the Bureau of Criminal Investigations in 2001. He then returned to NYS Homeland Security and re-retired in 2005. After his 2nd retirement he was a consultant with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children until 2017.
Jim was a member the Lions Club in Richfield Springs and co-owned a Sears catalog store in Richfield Springs. He also loved his dogs, playing Texas Hold 'Em and wearing his Hawaiian crazy shirts. Jim enjoyed attending many of his grandchildren's school and sporting events. He was loved by many for his kind heart, witty humor and was always someone you could rely on as a true friend.
SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on SUNDAY, August 12, 2018 from 2-4pm at DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME, 40 Maplewood Ave. in Pittsfield, MA. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on MONDAY, August 13, 2018 at 10am at St. Charles Church in Pittsfield, MA with Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor emeritus, officiating.
Donations in memory of Jim can be made to the Lions Club of Richfield Springs, The Community Hospice, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, all in care of the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home.