James J. Devine Jr.

Oneida-James J. Devine Jr., 88, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Oneida Healthcare Center.

He was born in Covington, New York, on June 22, 1934, the son of the late James J. Devine Sr. and Arlene Cornwell Devine. Jim was a graduate of Niagara University in 1957, and Albany Law School in 1960. He served as president of his law school class.  He was admitted to the New York State bar in 1960.  On October 1, 1960, Jim married Anne Ringwood in Albany.  Early in 1960, Jim became a partner with Kiley, Feldman and Whalen.  The firm later became the Kiley Law Firm. Jim remained a partner of the firm until 2002. He entered into private practice in 2004 until most recently.   Jim was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  He was an avid supporter of the local Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, Saint Patrick’s School, Holy Cross School, Knights of Columbus, as well as larger charities and organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, Catholic Charities, Judicial Watch, Smile Train, and the United Way. Jim also devoted his time to many other community action groups.  He was a member of the Oneida Healthcare Foundation and its board president for 37 years. He also served on many other boards, they include:  a member of, and Secretary/Treasurer of Powhatan for many years; former Director of the Oneida Savings Bank; former Trustee of Oneida Financial MHC; former Director of the Oneida Chamber of Commerce; former Director of New York State Dollars for Scholars; founder and former Director of Kanon Valley Country Club; former Vice-President of the Oneida City School Board; former Trustee and President of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church; former member of the Griffis Air Force Base Military Affairs Committee; former President of the Oneida Community Chest; former President of the Madison County Bar Association; former Chairman of the Madison County Mental Health Board;  and former Commissioner of the Madison County Release Board. Jim had also served as a former Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association for 3 years.

Jim is survived by his wife Anne, his daughters Arlene Devine and Margaret Devine, both of Oneida; his brother and sister-in-law Peter and Donna Devine of Slingerlands; his sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Daniel Horan of Lafayette, CA, and his sister Jeanne Goetz of Portland, OR; his in laws: Margaret Clement, and her husband A. Michel Clement, William Ringwood, Nelson Ringwood, and Patricia Devine.  Jim is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents James Sr. and Arlene, his brother Philip Devine and his brother-in-law John Ringwood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28, at 11:30 AM, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oneida. There will be calling hours at the church from 10 AM until 11:30 AM prior to the service.  Interment will be made in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. A complete obituary will appear in Sunday’s paper.  Jim and his family are being provided personal and professional care by Jeffrey T. Paul, Director, of the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the Oneida Healthcare Foundation, 321 Genesee Street, Oneida, New York 13421, or the Holy Cross Academy, 4020 Barrington Road, Oneida, New York 13421 in Jim’s name.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

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