Obituary of James R. Sophia, Sr.

Jim, aka "Pop Pop", passed away at the age of 87 on Friday, January 28th, 2022, in Montour Falls, NY at Seneca View Skilled Nursing. Jim was born in Elmira, the second son of the late Edward Ormel and Florence (Cardillo) Sophia, Sr. A 1954 graduate of EFA, he was a long-time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Upon graduation Jim enlisted in the United States Army, attended basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, and served his country from 1954-1956, stationed in Germany. After the Army, Jim enjoyed a 30-year career with General Electric Company. He was an active member of the Italian American Veterans Club of Elmira, Our Lady of Lourdes Church and The Ernie Davis Foundation. He enjoyed spending time playing golf, exercising, playing scratch offs and enjoying a good Italian meal at Moretti's. He was a devoted Catholic, loving father, uncle and grandfather. He is survived by his loving family: his son and daughter-in-law James Richard, Jr. and Melanie (Moran) Sophia, of Shaker Heights, OH, his daughter and son-in-law Liz Sophia Tyber and Dr. Andy Tyber of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren, James Trimble Sophia, Julia Stone Sophia, Michael Louis McClellan III, Sophie Caroline McClellan, Olivia Rose Tyber and his brother Robert Sophia of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Jim was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law Edward, Jr. and Mary Ann Ponzi Sophia, sister in-law Silvia Sophia, and son David Heller Sophia. Jim will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews: Susan Sophia Deming, Karen Sophia, Nancy Sophia Vankirk, of Elmira, Mary Sophia Kohan of Horseheads, Edward Ormel Sophia III of Horseheads, Richard Heller Smith of New Sharon, ME, Charles Humphrey Smith of Shanghai, China, Elizabeth Lowman Howell of Portland, OR, Chester Everts Howell of Newburyport, MA, Mary Trimble Howell of Hanover, NH. His children, Jim and Liz, would like to thank the incredible staff at Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility for their professional and caring devotion to their father's well-being. Jim's life will be celebrated at a future date at the Italian American Veteran's Club (IAV) in Elmira. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Italian American Veteran's Club, 1070 Magee St, Elmira, NY 14901, The Ernie Davis Foundation, 350 East Fifth Street, Elmira, NY 14901 or Seneca View Skilled Nursing, 220 Steuben St, Montour Falls, NY 14865.