Former supervisor Pax dies

Former Grand Island Town Supervisor James H. Pax passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, in Millard Fillmore Hospital, Gates Circle, Buffalo.

Pax was a town councilman for the Town of Grand Island from 1972 to 1991. He was then elected supervisor of the Town of Grand Island from 1992 to 1997. He was awarded the Citizen of the Year for Government in 1986.

Born Oct. 24, 1937, in Buffalo, he was the son of John and Beatrice (Young) Pax. He graduated from Buffalo State College and served in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and was a reservist. He worked as a sales engineer for Armco Steel.

Pax was also a member of the Grand Island Republican Committee, coached baseball and was very active in Scouting, earning an Eagle Scout rank, and remained active as an adult. He was a member of St. Stephen R.C. Church on Grand Island, where he was the head usher and took care of Catholic Charities before moving to Lockport in 2001, where he was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church. He enjoyed skiing, boating, fishing, traveling, carpentry and was an avid Bills fan.

Pax is survived by his wife of 10 years Susan (Pless) Pax of Lockport; he was the father of James (Karen) Pax, Jeffrey (Sherly), Jacqueline (Joseph) Valente, and Jason (Lori) Pax; step-father of Brenda Angelucci, Anita (Brian) Humphreys, and Alycia (Michael) Tomaino; grandfather of nine; brother of John (Nancy) Pax; and uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's R.C. Church, 5 Saxton St., Lockport.