Obituary for James H Miner
James H. Miner, age 77, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021 at Willow Springs Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. Born and raised in Albany, New York, up until most recently, he was a lifelong resident of Colonie.
James formerly known as “Jay” was a great athlete at Colonie Central High, playing various sports for many years, but another passion soon took over. Jay developed a love for racing cars and competed with many well-known racers. Unfortunately, a horrific crash in September 1973 ended his racing career. He married his wife, Lohre in 1964 and then started his 37-year career with South Colonie Central Schools as a bus driver. Then following his love for baseball, Jay began to umpire and then started writing for Referee magazine in 1977. In 2016, Jay was inducted into the NYS Baseball Hall of Fame as an Umpire.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Mildred Miner, and his beloved wife, Lohre Miner in 1975. Surviving is his daughter, Jaydene Drew and her husband, Tom of Jackson, his sister Kay Joan Smith and her husband, George of Ormond Beach, FL, and two grandchildren, Chance and Jett Drew.
Donations can be made in the memory of Jay Miner to the Willa Cather Foundation. Willa Cather is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Jay is a Cather family descendent and his father’s childhood home is maintained as a national historic site by the foundation. https://www.willacather.org/support/donate
James formerly known as “Jay” was a great athlete at Colonie Central High, playing various sports for many years, but another passion soon took over. Jay developed a love for racing cars and competed with many well-known racers. Unfortunately, a horrific crash in September 1973 ended his racing career. He married his wife, Lohre in 1964 and then started his 37-year career with South Colonie Central Schools as a bus driver. Then following his love for baseball, Jay began to umpire and then started writing for Referee magazine in 1977. In 2016, Jay was inducted into the NYS Baseball Hall of Fame as an Umpire.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Mildred Miner, and his beloved wife, Lohre Miner in 1975. Surviving is his daughter, Jaydene Drew and her husband, Tom of Jackson, his sister Kay Joan Smith and her husband, George of Ormond Beach, FL, and two grandchildren, Chance and Jett Drew.
Donations can be made in the memory of Jay Miner to the Willa Cather Foundation. Willa Cather is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Jay is a Cather family descendent and his father’s childhood home is maintained as a national historic site by the foundation. https://www.willacather.org/support/donate