ONEONTA - James Airth Hurtubise, 72, passed away at home Friday evening, May 7, 2010, with his family present at his side.

Born on December 29, 1937 in St. Albans, Vermont, the son of Emil "Pat" Hurtubise and Ella Airth Hurtubise, Jim grew up the youngest of three with his brothers William and John Hurtubise. When Jim's father relocated for work, the family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where Jim was looked after by his brothers while his father served in World War II and his mother worked in an airplane factory. When Pat returned from the war, the family moved to Hartwick, N.Y. where they settled on the family farm off of Rt. 205. Jim's childhood was spent working alongside his father and brothers on the farm and joining the crews repairing electric lines in the early days of the REA during power outages. The three boys attended Hartwick High School where Jim was a standout athlete in his class of seven and enjoyed great success as a football, basketball and baseball player for the Hartwick Huskies. He was a very competitive athlete who would continue to enjoy Town Team Basketball for many years.

After graduating from high school in 1955, he continued his education at Hartwick College where he was an active member of the TKE fraternity in Oneonta and then at St. John's University in New York City. Upon returning from college, he chose to go into business for himself and opened Hurtubise Construction, making his start with the building of the Oasis Motor Lodge, once a popular night club and motel.

It was finally after 36 years of single life, enjoying late nights with good friends and cruising in his 1961 Corvette, that Jim met the love of his life, Maryann Niedzialkowski. After some persuasion, they were married in 1972 and settled in Hartwick, N.Y. Jim and Maryann had three children; two beautiful daughters, Patricia and Jacqueline and son, James. In December of 1980, their house in Hartwick was destroyed by fire so the family relocated to Oneonta, N.Y. where they built their current home and have resided for nearly 30 years.

Jim would continue to work in construction his whole life and was instrumental in countless Otsego County projects including site work at the area high schools and colleges, baseball fields and parks. On the job he was known for his resourcefulness, ability to get any job done and complete even the most impossible repairs. Among his employees he was known as a boss who insisted on making work fun. Jim owned the asphalt plant and gravel bank in Oneonta and worked for SUNY Delhi in the construction department before finally becoming Highway Superintendent for the Town of Oneonta in 1996. It was that year that the town was devastated by the flood of '96, followed by tornadoes in1999, countless snowstorms, and the flood of 2006. Undeterred, Jim maintained the roads to an excellent standard. Jim served as Highway Superintendant continually until his retirement this past April, 2010. Throughout his time as superintendant, he was an active member of the Otsego County Highway Association and did whatever he could to support the surrounding towns and villages.

When Jim was not enjoying a steak and martini dinner with some hard butter on a roll, he was outside being active with friends and family. His summers were spent rushing between the construction site and the softball field where he was a valued team member for 35 years. He was known by his teammates as "Heartbeat" for his speedy return to the pitcher's mound after a heart attack in 1991. Whether at Dino's, the Rec. Center or traveling with the Over 50 Silver Sluggers, he enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of it all.

During the winter when he was not out plowing snow for the Town, Jim could be found snowmobiling with family and friends or attending a local basketball game. Jim also spent numerous afternoons at his children's sporting events and horse shows. When his daughters finally outgrew weekly horse shows, Jim and Maryann took up boating. Though they began as novices, the pair dove in head-first and quickly became avid boaters, undertaking great adventures down the Hudson River around Manhattan, the Erie Canal and through Lake Ontario, up the St. Lawrence and down through Lake Champlain and back to the Hudson River, a complete loop. The boats grew from small 18 footers to a 24 footer, and then a summer later, a 31 foot vessel, aptly named "On the Rocks".

We will remember Dad as a charismatic and friendly man with a genuine handshake, a great smile, a love for good conversation and stories and a big personality. We will remember the endless hours in the shop working on the equipment that he thought of as family, "Ollie", "Henry", "Massey" and many others. We will remember the lessons that he taught us about speaking what is on our mind, making time for everyone and collecting all types of friends. We have learned that, like Dad, we can have just as much fun drinking a beer in the garage with buddies or sipping cocktails in a martini bar. We will remember that the best investments in life are the investments in a good time.

Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather to his wife Maryann Hurtubise; his oldest daughter Patricia Leonard and her husband Bret and their two sons Wyatt and Colin; his youngest daughter Jacqueline Hitt and her husband Kevin and son Austin; and his son James Hurtubise. Jim was predeceased by his brothers John and William Hurtubise. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Judy Hurtubise of Hartwick, N.Y. and Shirley Hurtubise of Unadilla, N.Y. Jim will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be Monday, May 10, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

A Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Oneonta, with the Rev. Joseph Benintende, as celebrant.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.