•Rath, John William “Jim”, Chili: Age 89, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 12, 2015, at Strong Memorial Hospital. Born on August 3, 1926, in Chili, Jim was the youngest of John F. and Wilhelmina Rath’s six children. A 1943 graduate of Madison High School, Jim had a long and successful career at Delco Products, and a joyful 58 year marriage to Mary Louise Erbelding, by whom he was predeceased. Known for his mischievous sense of humor and curious engineer’s mind, Jim was a master woodworker, skillful card player, voracious reader, and frisbee champ, but most of all, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Jim is survived by his four children and their families: John W. (Jack) and Sarah Rath of West Pawlet, VT, and their children Laura Brown (Jeremy), John W. Rath III, and Andrea Bradwick (Matthew); Gary and Cindy Gerow Rath of Greeley, CO, and their children Daniel (Meredith) and Allison; Nancy (Sue) and Mark Thompson of Clinton, NY, and their children Elizabeth and Kate; and Barbara and Tim Shephard of Charlottesville, VA, and their children Molly and Eleanor. He is also survived by his loving companion, Anna Perez of Pittsford, NY and brother-in-law Jack Erbelding of Warsaw, NY.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 2 pm at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 2415 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY, followed by a gathering at Black Creek Park in Chili. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s honor to the Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital Fund.
