James "Jim" Guinan

Jim Guinan 1925 - 2009 "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand." James Guinan passed away peacefully on April 1, 2009, in Tampa, Florida. He was born in Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland, to John and Kathleen Guinan. He emigrated to England to find work and it was there he met and married Margaret "Peg" Curnyn. Seven years and four children later, they made their move to America. They made their home in Garrison, and in 1959 they bought a store in the Depot and named it Guinan's Country Store. He and Peg operated the business until Peg passed in 1988. With the help of his family and friends, Jim continued to run the business until closing it in 2008.

"Jim" was a founding member of the Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, a member of the Garrison Volunteer Fire Dept., and the Garr i son Fish and Game Club. He was part of the crew that built the marina in Garrison and had been the dock master for the Garrison Yacht Club since that time. Over the years, he was recognized by many organizations for his 'giving back to the community,' and was the honoree at several lunches and dinners. Jim received numerous let ters of recogni t ion, plaques, and awards for his generosity and kindness - colored pictures from many children and the 'Sword of the Cadets' from the USMA Cadet Corps.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Peg) in 1988, and son, John, in 2008. He is survived by his son, James of San Francisco, California; two daughters, Margaret of Westchester, New York and Christine and husband, Michael D'Onofrio of Lutz, Florida; daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Guinan of Fishkill; five brothers, John, Terrance and Brian, all of Ireland, and Bernard and Donald of England; five sisters, Kathleen, Sheila, Mary, and Bridget of England and Phyllis of Louisville, Kentucky; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Clinton Funeral Home, 21 Parrott Street, Cold Spring, on Monday and Tuesday, April 13 and 14; 2-4pm and 7-9pm both days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 15, at 10am at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 24 Fair Street, Cold Spring, with interment at the Cold Spring Cemetery.

J im was involved wi th many organizations and if you would like to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, please consider one of the following: the James & Peg Guinan Family Community Award fund at the Garrison Union Free School - established in 2006 to honor the GUFS student who most strongly exhibits leadership by giving back to their community during the school year (for more informat ion please contact Sue Huetter @ 845-424-3689); The Garrison Volunteer Fire Department; the Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corp. or the American Diabetes Association in his memory.