James R. Hartzell, 82, of 232 Elm St., Watertown, passed November 17, 2015 at his home where he was under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

A prayer service will be held 9:30a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21st at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, followed by a 10 a.m . Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery.

Calling hours will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov 20th at the funeral home.

Born on March 5, 1933 in Buffalo, NY, son of Elmer and Marion (Habermehl) Hartzell Sr., he graduated from Kensington High School in 1950.

Following school he served in the US Army from 1953 and was honoarbly discahrged in 1954.

He then graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1962 with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and in 1982 he received his Master's in Business Administration from Clarkson University.

He married Elizabeth Smith, of Buffalo, on January 25, 1958 at St. James Catholic Church in Buffalo.  the couple resided in Camillus, Potsdam and moved to Watertown in 1982.

Mr. Hartzell worked for American Airlines Fleet Service in Buffalo for 12 years. He then went to work for Niagara Mohawk as a Planning Superintendent in 1963. He retired in 1993 as the Superintendent of Transportation in the Northern Region.

Among his survivors are his loving wife of 57 years, Elizabeth J. Hartzell; two sons and their wives, Timothy J. and Marian Hartzell, Fairfax, VA, John V. and Julie Hartzell, Ballston Spa, NY; three daughters and their husbands, Margaret M. and Charles Briggs, Adams, Mary E. and Darren Bracy, Carthage, Patricia A. and John Moosbrugger, Potsdam, NY; two sisters, Marilyn Lang, Cheektowaga, NY, Madonna Hartzell, Williamville, NY; a sister-in-law Norma Hartzell, Williamsville, NY; 18 grandchildren, three great grandchildren;several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by a granddaughter, Clare Bracy and a brother, Elmer Hartzell Jr.

He was a communicant of St. Anthony's Catholic Church where he served as Eucharistic Minister and a Lecture and former member of the Mount Carmel Society.

He loved being a driver for the volunteer transportaion center in Jefferson County.  He also enjoyed basket weaving and caning chairs.

Donations may be made to the The Boys Town FAther Flanagan's Boys Home Boys Town, NE 68010 or to TriSomy 21 Care of Alicia Bach 120 West Street Black River, NY 13612