Mr. James “Jim” Belknap Sr.

June 26, 1951 - January 12, 2020

James “Jim” Belknap Sr. James “Jim” Belknap Sr. 68 of Johnstown, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on Sunday, January 12th at Mt. Sanai Hospital in New York City after receiving a Liver Transplant on August 27th. He will be loved and missed by his family and friends. He was born on June 26th, 1951 to Pearle and Elizabeth Belknap in Gloversville, NY. He was a graduate of Johnstown High School and held a bachelor’s degree in Education where he taught in TX for several years. For the last 40 years he ran his own contracting business Budget Exteriors. Jim had a passion for people in general. He never met a person he couldn’t carry on a conversation with or make feel better when he walked away than they were when he walked in. No matter where he went it was rare that someone didn’t know him and if you didn’t, he would make a new friend(s) before he left. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren whether that was talking, playing cards, or just going to get ice cream (he loved his sweets). He also had a passion for boxing and took pride in his daughter Melissa being a boxing instructor and his son Nicholas sharing his same passion for the sport. A little slogan he would recite with his kids generating laughs and a sing along: “Big Jim from the hill never ran never will. See him coming step aside a lot of men didn’t lot of men died. One fist of iron the other of steel if the right one doesn’t get you the left one will.” He leaves behind his wife of 24 years (together 33 years) Cindy Belknap, his children Melissa Santa Maria (Dominic), Bobbi Jo Haverly (Michael), Joshua Belknap (Katie), Michael Hall , and Nicholas Belknap; his grandchildren Kayla Belknap, Victoria Belknap, Joseph Belknap, Riley Hall, Destin Hall, Jack Haverly, Emilia Haverly, MaKenna Belknap, Elliot Haverly, Gavyn Hall, and Kayden Hall; his great grandchildren Olivia and Ayah; siblings Jack Belknap (Brenda), Pete Belknap (Linda), Karen Hartlieb (Michael), Mary Ellen Terry (Rodney), Brian Belknap (Mary Lou), William Belknap Sr, Heidi Ambrosino (Terry); and several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by both parents Pearle and Elizabeth Belknap; siblings Phillip Belknap, Paul Belknap, Jill Belknap, Dennis Belknap, Robert Belknap; and his son James Belknap Jr. A calling period will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1 North Market Street Johnstown, NY 12095 from 3 to 6pm with a Memorial Service to follow with Rev. Laurie Garramone. An interment will be held at a future date at St. Anthony’s Cemetery Johnstown, NY 12095. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to Donate Life America (DLA) 701 East Byrd Street 16th floor Richmond, VA 23219 or St. Jude’s 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences and service details may also be found at: www.ehleandbarnett.com.