James J. Grable

The Grable Family will receive family and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2 to 6 PM for a walk-through visitation.

DURING VISITATION, MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND TEMPERATURE CHECKS WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE ENTERING THE BUILDING.

At 3 PM, BOCES Administration, Faculty and Staff will be paying respects, at 4:00 PM the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, Kingston Police Department and other members of law enforcement will be paying their respects and at 5:30 PM Ulster Hose will be paying their respects.  Visitation to the public will be interrupted while the agencies pay their respects.

A Liturgy of the Word Service will be held Thursday 11:00 AM at Saint Peter's Church in Rosendale.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5976138402?pwd=MWxyTXV1TzVFLy84bzc3ZDNQVTZzZz09

Meeting ID: 597 613 8402

Passcode: 4DAqs4

Cremation will follow the mass.

James J. Grable, 56, of Cottekill NY died unexpectedly early Saturday morning December 5, 2020. Born in Ellenville, New York July 6, 1964, a son of the late Joseph and Clare (Falvey) Grable.

A graduate of Ellenville High School class of 1982, Jim was voted by his senior classmates as "class socializer".   Following high school, he attended Albany Medical Center School of Nursing.

Jim Grable defined law enforcement through the lens of the needs of each community he served.  He began his career with the Ellenville Police Department in 1985 where he also served with Ulster County Corrections in a part time capacity.  He was appointed to the Kingston Police Department in 1987. As an officer with the Kingston Police Department Jim was a member of the Emergency Services Unit, an Instructor for the department, ran the Explorer Post program, and worked in the Child Advocacy Center.   The Kingston Police Department initiated the D.A.R.E. Program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and he was assigned as one of the D.A.R.E. officers for the City. He retired from Kingston Police in 2013, after 26 years.    He became a member of The Ulster County Sheriff's Patrol in 2013 and served as a school resource officer at Ulster BOCES until his death. Jim is a steward of the profession - effortlessly networking and focusing on relationships to improve the safety, mental health and resources of those who needed it most.

He was a past member in Scoresby Hose Fire Department, Ellenville First Aid and Rescue squad and Cottekill Fire Department and a life member of Ulster Hose Company #5.  Jim served as an altar boy at Saint Mary and Saint Andrew Church in Ellenville and was a past coach for several youth sports including Rondout Valley Little League.

Surviving are his wife Kathleen (Wood) Grable, a son Tyler Grable and a daughter, Marissa Grable.  He is also survived by his siblings, Marian Edvardsen, Joseph Grable, Tom Grable, Jerry Grable, and Patrick Grable. Jim is the Brother-in-law of Bonnie Millar, Ronnie Wood, and Bruce Wood.  He was honored to stand as Godfather for Brendan Edvardsen, Chris Cymbal, Kevin Woltman, and Brandon Brown. Many nieces and nephews survive.  In addition to his parents, a sister MaryEllen Grable, His Father-in-law and Mother-in-law; Clifford and Shirley Wood, and Brother-in-law; Lee Wood all predeceased him.

Jim was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends, he loved nothing more than caring for those most important to him. He found great joy spending his free time in the recent years enjoying his boat on Lake Norman.

Jim's senior quote in his high school yearbook, "I must first please all those that I can possibly please, for when I have accomplished that then I will truly be pleased".

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Raising Your Awareness about Narcotics, 1568 Route 32, Saugerties, New York 12477.