Obituary of James H. Kinley

James H. Kinley Olean, NY James H. Kinley, of Olean and Arlington, TX passed away on Monday (July 20, 2015) at his Olean residence. Born May 27, 1927 in Olean he was the son of the late Lewis F. and Carolyn Banta Kinley. On July 5, 1948 he married his first love, the former Barbara L. Parks. They had two children, Carolyn and James L. They had a loving marriage until Barbara passed away on July 2, 1973. On May 1, 1976 he married his second love, Sarah Crisafulli. Once again, he was very blessed with a loving, happy marriage for all his remaining years. He always felt very blessed to be related to all Sarah's brothers and their children. They were the family he never had, and he enjoyed their company and their friendship. Many of them seemed like his own children. He was a veteran of World War II, having served on an anti-submarine ship, the U.S. Woonsocket P.F. 32, in the North Atlantic Ocean, until the end of the war. During his long business career, Mr. Kinley served as President of Kinley Oil and Gas, and Kinley Corporation. In the early 1990's he turned the corporation presidency and operations over to his son, J. L. Kinley. As J. L. carried on the operations, he expanded Kinley to remarkable new heights. He was very, very proud of his son and his success as the fifth generation to carry on the family business and to have such an impeccable reputation. Several of his favorite memories were the years he worked in the oil fields in NY and Pennsylvania as a boy and man. He worked several different jobs as laborer, tool dresser, pumper, roustabout, then as Forman and superintendent. He loved the outdoors and working in the woods. He was a close friend with the men he worked with and always enjoyed and remembered them through the years. Mr. Kinley enjoyed spending time with his wife Sarah, and being in the company of their family. They enjoyed traveling together, especially to Italy and Sicily. Jim enjoyed the outdoor woodlands in New York and Pennsylvania. He also enjoyed reading his books in the large library he has collected over the years. During his business career, Mr. Kinley also served on numerous Boards of Directors; including First National Bank of Bolivar, First Trust Union Bank, North Star Bank N.A., Fleet Bank, Investors Royalty of Tulsa Oklahoma, Sabine Royalty Corporation of Dallas, TX, Cupler Torpedo Company, Otto Torpedo Company, as well as other entities. He was active in St. John's Church in Olean where he also served on the finance committee for many years before retiring. He was also a member of the NYS Oil Producers Association, American Historical Societies, Drake Oil Museum, American Legion, Tea Party Patriots, Free and Accepted Masons, Wednesday Romeo's and the Manhattan Group. Surviving besides his wife Sarah are a son J. L. (Jenifer) Kinley of Arlington, TX; a daughter Carolyn (Michael) Crawford of Oak Leaf, TX; 6 grandchildren Adam Crawford, Michael J. Crawford, Kirstin Green, James P. Kinley, Amanda Chappell and Katherine Kinley; 6 great grandchildren; a cousin William Kinley of Olean; a distant cousin Jim (Anne) Kinley of Mareeba, Australia and their lovely daughter Phoebe whom have visited Jim and Sarah in the United States; a niece Linda (Ron) Cecchi and a nephew Jeff (Keiley) Banfield. In addition to his first wife Barbara, he was predeceased by a sister Joyce Banfield on June 8, 2002. Friends will be received on Thursday from 2-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday (July 24, 2015) at 10:00am in St. John's Church. Rev. Ed Sheedy, pastor, will be the principal celebrant. Rev. William Wangler will concelebrate. Burial will be at a later date at St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the St. John's Endowment Fund, 931 N. Union St. Olean, NY 14760, the Challenger Center of the Twin Tier Region, 182 E. Union St. Suite 2, Allegany, NY 14706, the Olean Public Library, 134 N. 2nd St. Olean, NY 14760 or to the Penn-Brad Oil Museum, 901 South Ave. Custer City, PA 16725. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.