Obituary of James H. Seeley

James H. Seeley Oriskany James H. "Poppy" Seeley, 65, of Main Street, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 14, 2009. He was born June 7, 1943, in Utica, a son of the late Frank and Evelyn O'Connor Seeley. Jim retired from Utica Dept. of Public Works after over 20 years of service. He was a devoted father and grandfather, who took great pride in his family. Our Poppy loved the little things in life. A homemade Spaghetti and meatball dinner or baked chicken with mash potatoes and lots of gravy. He loved watching movies on his big screen T.V., watching his grandsons play baseball, soccer, basketball, karate, musicals, and listening to the Clinton choir. He loved watching his grandsons and daughter on Christmas day ripping presents open as he stood behind his camera. He could always find that perfect birthday or funny holiday card and send it with a gift of joy. He was and will always be the Clinton Warriors biggest sports fan as long as he could watch his grandsons. He loved a good hair cut and small talk with his oldest friend Gino. He loved a fresh coat of wax on his car to make it sparkle. He made MR. Clean look dirty. The best of all he enjoyed being around the people he loved, the enjoyment he got watching his grandsons accomplishments in life, like: winning a game, graduating from grammar school, middle school, learning to play an instrument, singing in a musical or listening to the choir, receiving a different colored belt in karate, and making sure they got good grades on there report cards. His biggest accomplishment in life is his daughter and my beautiful wife Shannon Seeley Larkin. I could still remember the day Jim gave and entrusted his only daughters hand in marriage to me to be his new son-in-law. I was scared and happy but knew I never loved anyone more. He could be no prouder in life then to see his daughter have two beautiful baby boys with his baby blue eyes. He was so proud to see his grandsons grow up and become the great men and little boys he once knew. What he didn't realize was his presence as a grandfather would become a huge part of molding and teaching his grandsons into becoming the great little men they are today. We will miss you POPPY everywhere we turn either at a family function, a sporting event, or a musical. We will miss your funny little laugh and that huge smile you would get when the boys accomplished anything. You will always be in our hearts, our thoughts, and our memories. The littlest of things were most precious, a smile, a hug, a kiss, the gift to giving. The Lord must have needed another great man in his kingdom but it was really to soon. My sons Robert and Matthew not only lost a grandfather but lost their best friend Poppy. We all love you Poppy forever and ever. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Bob Larkin of Clinton; his two grandsons, Robert and Matthew Larkin; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Irene Seeley of Oriskany, Frank and Carol Seeley of Rome; his sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Joe Creaco of Utica; several nieces and nephews, and his close friend of many years Gino. He was also predeceased by his sister, Barbara Conrad. A private service will be held for the family and there will be no public calling hours. Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., Clinton. Please consider donations to The Arthritis Foundation, 3300 Monroe Avenue, Suite 319 Rochester, NY 14618 www.owenspavlotrogers.com