Verne "Les" Jess

Colonie- Verne Leslie "Les" Jess, 77, at rest suddenly, Sunday, November 10, 2013. Les was born in Rotterdam, the son of the late Edward and Edna Jess. He was a graduate of Draper High School Class of 1954. Les was a U.S. Air Force veteran who graduated from Pilot Training School in 1954. He was employed by theNiagara Mohawk Power Corp for 38 years retiring from the Electric Planning Dept. in Albany in 1997. He was also a Sales Associate with Yankee Realty for several years. Les was a member of the Rotterdam Elks Lodge 2157, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the NIMO 25 year club. Les is survived by: his loving wife, Gail DiMarco Jess; beloved children, Jon E. (Kim) Jess of The Plains, VA, Wendy (Chet) Pinder of Sharon Springs, N.Y. and Becky (the late Roy) Hastings of Niskayuna; beloved stepchildren, Mark (Amy) Chmielinski of Marlton, N.J., Bethann (Alan) Schaefer of Ormond Beach, FL; beloved brothers, Edward (Mae) Jess of Rotterdam, Robert (Sherry) Shults of Colorado;sisters, Jo Watkins of Florida and Janet (Bob) Miller of Georgia. In addition, Les is survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, in-laws and great friends. Les is also predeceased by his first wife, Patricia D'Avignon Jess; his brother,Ernest and sisters, Doris Holtslag and Marjorie Waite. Calling hours will be held Friday November 15, from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave, Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin 8am Saturday at the funeral home, followed at 9am by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 2216 Rosa Rd., Schenectady. Burial with military honors will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Schenectady. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Les' name may be made to Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 15250-0301 or City Mission of Schenectady P.O. Box 760 Schenectady, N.Y. 12301