Obituaries

James P. Galvin Jr., 93, of Oswego, passed away peacefully May 23, 2025, at the Manor at Seneca Hill.

Jim was born in 1932, a son of James P. Galvin and Therese Lagoe Galvin of Oswego. He met the love of his life, Geneva Dain, in Oswego and they were married in 1963.

Jim loved to tell a story: of his youth with his siblings and extended family in Oswego, Georgia, New York City, and Hilo, Hawaii; his service in the U.S. Navy and Army; working on Shemya in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands; as salesman and part-owner of Browne-Davis Furniture; and as father of eleven children and grandfather of twenty. He also loved to hoodwink the unsuspecting with his deadpan delivery of ridiculous tales.

Jim’s humility and self-deprecation belied his many gifts. He was dedicated to excellence in his work and approached responsibilities with exemplary discipline. He used his technical skills and discerning eye for color and design on innumerable jobs. He was a great reader and had a deep appreciation for art and a wide breadth of knowledge.

A devout Roman Catholic, Jim will be best remembered for his unwavering faith in God. His love of Jesus led him to witness and minister to people in such far-spread places as Mexico, the Holy Land, Yugoslavia, and Guatemala. As leader of The Lord’s Delight Prayer Community for over 50 years, God touched the lives of countless people through Jim. He prayed devotedly for wisdom, strength, mercy, healing, and blessing, and shared the fruit of this prayer unreservedly. He valued the connections that came from his intercession and enjoyed the fellowship of so many friends - at Wednesday card nights, small group meetings, and Elim Grace bible study.

God gave Jim peace in his final days with the parable of the Prodigal Son. He wanted to tell everyone: God’s love for us does not depend on our faithfulness; it is unconditional. God is our faithful and loving Father. When we come to repent of our sins, He forgives us and welcomes us with open arms.

In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his beloved son, Jerome Butler Galvin; his brother Jerome Galvin; and two sisters, Jean Kelly and Joan FitzGibbons.

He is survived by his loving family: his beautiful wife of 62 years, Geneva Dain Galvin; daughters Brigid (Bert) Jerred, Mary (Brad) Brown, Keren (Christopher) Greene, and Sarah Galvin (Nicholas Gentile); sons James P. (Erin) Galvin III, John (Tanya) Galvin, Patrick (Julie) Galvin, Thomas (Jessica) Galvin, Edward Galvin, and David (Maureen) Galvin; sister Julienne Smith; 20 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, May 30 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 240 W 1st St, Oswego. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family in St. Peter Cemetery, Oswego. Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home has care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Lord's Delight, 7285 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126.

Jim's family would like to thank the caregivers at Syracuse VA Hospital, St. Luke Health Services and the Manor at Seneca Hill for their care of Jim. They also thank Jim’s many friends and family members who supported and uplifted him with prayers, visits, music, puzzles, cards, treats, and words of encouragement, admiration, and love.