The Passing of James Houseknecht

James Houseknecht, SFSC adjunct faculty member, tutor, and volunteer for the RSVP program, passed away on May 21. Below is his published obituary:

James Richard Houseknecht, 77, entered into heaven in the early morning hours on May 21, 2024, following a long battle with a number of health issues. He was born in Elmira, N.Y. on March 17, 1947, to Gerald Wilson and Anna Mabel Heath Houseknecht.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Dedre Hann Houseknecht, his son James G. Houseknecht of Tioga Center, N.Y., and his daughter Jennifer J. Houseknecht of Palm Bay, Fla. Following a stroke in October 2022, he and Dedre began residing with their daughter Jennifer. He is also survived by his brother Earl of Nichols, N.Y.; sister MaryAnn of Tioga Center, N.Y.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marda and Donald Hanford of Tioga Center, N.Y.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dondrue and Nelson Harrington of Delmar, N.Y.; and sister-in-law Marguarite Hanna of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He found great joy in his grand-puppies, Archie and Reggie of Palm Bay, Fla., and Tucker of Tioga Center, N.Y.

Jim was an educator and administrator for Tioga Central School District, until his retirement in August 2001. In August 2001, he began a second career of teaching and tutoring in Sebring, Fla. until his stroke in October 2022. Prior to his retirement, he spent many years volunteering for the Tioga Center Fire District and Tioga County Fire Service, but his first and final love was education. His legacy over his many years of teaching, included thousands of students, many of whom have special memories of the mathematics or coaching he taught, along with life lessons they could carry with them as they grew into adults.

At his request, there will be no services, but if you feel the need, a donation can be made to Tioga Central Alumni Association Student Scholarship Fund, 90 Southwick Rd. Candor, N.Y. 13734. Or, if he touched your life in any way, you could always “pay it forward” by passing along what he taught you, to another. His goal was to educate as many students as he could, to make the world a better place.

During the SFSC’s fall term, a Root Beer Float Party will be held in his honor. Please stay tuned for details.