James Kentula

Kentula: James, On this day July 18, 2024, the love of my life went to be with his savior, family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.  James was born on June 17, 1956, in Johnstown, PA.  He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew P. and Mary E. (Racosky) Kentula grandparents John and Anna (Bukata) Kentula and Joseph and Anna (Dill) Racosky, and brother-in-law Donald Armstrong.  Jim is survived by his wife Colleen (Ogline/Hechler), sister Mary Kentula, Corvallis, Oregon, brother Andrew Kentula, Johnstown, PA, Cousin Rick “Rico” Racosky, Boulder, Colorado, Mother-In-Law Donna Ogline, many special in-laws,  and special friends William “Duster” Swain, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Margie Fisher, Douglas, Alaska.  Jim was a 1974 graduate of Conemaugh Township High School where he played Saxophone in the band and then attended Pitt Johnstown Campus and Mt. Aloysius in Cresson in which he earned various degrees.  Jim had various careers and jobs during his lifetime which included being a paper boy for Maple Ridge, car dealing at Salley Cadilac in Johnstown, coal miner in Tire Hill, welder at Thiel in Windber, bartender at the Plaza Lounge, Paramedic for Hollsopple Volunteer Fire Department Station 21, salesman for Camco Johnstown, and for the last 27 years a chemist for Norac Labs in Johnstown.  Jim became a pilot at the age of 16 flying out of the Somerset airport with Bill Mostoller as his instructor.  He was the secretary for the Johnstown Corvette club and so enjoyed driving his 1966 Corvett.  Jim played softball for many years for the Sons of Italy team in Johnstown.  He had many hobbies and interests which included trains of all sizes from models to real, building/flying model rockets, and reading a good book.  Jim could fix just about everything if he put his mind to it and he was also a gear head and was currently restoring his 1977 Trans Am which he would have loved to drive!! But most of all Jim loved shooting trap, long distance and pistol.  His favorite saying was “I love anything with a trigger.”  He enjoyed showing individuals how to shoot any type of gun and discussing with them.  Jim participated in the Pennsylvania Keystone State Games trap shooting competition in which he won 3 consecutive gold metals.  In his last few years Jim was able to visit all 50 of these United States thanks to his friend Margie that made the last 2 possible.  Jim was a lifetime member of Daisytown Sportsman’s Club and Hollsopple Volunteer Fire Department Station 21.  He was also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus #954.  Member of the NRA, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, Hooversville Game Protective Association, Stoystown American Legion Post 257, and St. Anne’s Catholic Church Davidsville where he was an alter boy for many years.  Jim had a great number of friends and colleges throughout his life, too numerous to mention them all, but they will always part of his life and remembered.  Jim will be missed by his 4 furry kids Scrappy, Jess, Fred, and Hobbet but most of all by his wife Colleen whom he was friends with for over 40 years but for the last 14 years lovingly married to one another ans were so looking forward to sharing many more together… At Jim’s request there will be no viewing or services.  He wishes for you to make a donation in his memory to Daisytown Sportsman’s Club198 Fulmer Road Johnstown, PA 15904 in his Memory.

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