VOORHEESVILLE — James Olney Hladun died peacefully surrounded by family at his Voorheesville home on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, after a brief, but courageous battle against cancer. He was 83.

“Jim was born the eldest son of the late John and Eleanor (née Olney) Hladun in Rome, New York,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was a graduate of Camden High School and continued his education at the State University of New York at Delhi and SUNY Oswego, where he met his wife Linda (née Court). They married in 1966 and moved to Edmonston, New York, where he began his teaching career. 

“In 1968, he began a long and memorable career in the Voorheesville School District where he was tasked with building their first woodworking program at the then-junior-senior high school. This began three decades of mentorship and guidance as he worked with students on developing skills that would serve them throughout their adulthood.

“It is safe to assume most households today, of VCHS graduates, have a piece of furniture in it that was built with the support of Mr. Hladun. He also oversaw the adult education program for 25 years, where he helped provide a wide array of learning opportunities for members of the community. 

“Despite never having played the game of soccer, Jim’s influence on the soccer community at Voorheesville was strongly felt. He served as a boys’ coach early in his teaching career and went on to establish the first girls’ soccer program at the school, taking them to numerous sectional finals during his tenure.

“He also helped start both the Kiwanis youth soccer program and New Scotland travel soccer teams, helping introduce young players to the game, which laid the foundation for successful boys’ and girls’ programs for years to come. 

“Jim was passionate about the Voorheesville community and took every opportunity offered to give back. As a member of the New Scotland Kiwanis club since 1974, he contributed his time and talent in countless ways. He served as president of the club on two occasions and was Lieutenant governor of the Capital Division of Kiwanis in 2002. Even after retiring from the school district, he continued to serve as an advisor for the school’s Key Club.

“He was an active member of the Jim Nichols Foundation and St. Matthew’s Men Association, and also mentored several Boy Scouts who were working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Beyond his formal community service, you could find evidence of Jim’s talents in the countless roofs, decks, and remodeling jobs throughout the homes in Voorheesville, as well as community enhancements perhaps most notably in the gazebo that stands today in Hotaling Park.

“In Jim’s ‘spare time,’ you would find him in his happy place, his gardens. He tended to his vegetables, flowers, fruits, and Christmas trees, many starting from seeds he hand-planted during the winter months. When the weather turned, he took refuge in his basement workshop, hand-crafting furniture for his family, friends and community. 

“But, despite all that he gave to others, his one true love was the family he built.

“Jim’s was a life well-lived full of family, friends, and community. The impact of his quiet, steady presence will be felt for a lifetime for those who loved him.”

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James Olney Hladun is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda; his children, Lara (John) Bishop, Megan Bellinger, and Matthew (Tammy) Hladun; his cherished grandchildren, Lauren (Max) Reed, Jenna (Nate) Bellinger, Bennett, and Maxwell Hladun; his great-granddaughter, Paisley LaClair and soon-to-be great-grandson, Baby Reed.

He is also survived by his brothers, Robert, Jeffrey, and Charles; bonus brother, Jan Sterling; special brother-in-law, Jim Court; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his faithful companion, his dog Ginger.

His grandson, Willem, “who was waiting for his Papa,” his family wrote, died before him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Scotland Kiwanis Club, Post Office Box 1, Voorheesville, NY 12186 or  toThe Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.

Family and friends are invited to his visitation hours on Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Church, 25 Mountainview Street, Voorheesville, and to his funeral services on Friday, March 13, at 10 a.m., at St. Matthew’s Church.