James E. Schleigh, loving husband, father, grandfather

CUBA — James E. Schleigh, 71, of 8969 Stout Road, Cuba, passed away Sunday (Aug. 10, 2025) at Elderwood of Hornell, after a lengthy illness.

Born Dec. 7, 1953, in Cuba, he was a son of John R. and Mary L. Griffith Schleigh II. On Dec. 1, 1973, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cuba, he married the former Vicki A. Dean, who survives.

Jim grew up in Belmont and attended school there until moving to Cuba Lake his junior year. A basketball and track athlete, he also loved sailing and water skiing. Jim was a graduate of Cuba Central School, Class of 1972.

After graduation he worked for Weathermaster Door and Window Company in Rochester until moving to Cuba in 1978. He then was a maintenance technician for Great Lakes Cheese in Cuba for 42 years, retiring in 2020.

He was proud to have built his home on Stout Road and could do anything he put his mind to. Every year he would split wood by hand for the winter. He built play structures for his kids and grandkids.

While his children were young, he never missed attending their sporting events and took great pride in all of their accomplishments.

Jim enjoyed being outside, birdwatching, bonfires and music, watching football, basketball and hockey, all with a dog (or cat) by his side. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, pushing them on the swings, kicking a ball around or piecing together puzzles and Legos.

In addition to his wife, Vicki, he is survived by three daughters, Amy L. (John) Schleigh-Hayes of Succasunna, N.J., Kristy M. (Ruben Santiago) Schleigh of Wellsville and Sarah N. Schleigh of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two grandchildren, Laurel and Kenadee; four brothers, John R. (Barb) Schleigh III of West Henrietta, Michael (Dianne) Schleigh of Grove City, Pa., Charles (Val) Schleigh of Scottsville and Mark (Angie) Schleigh of Rochester; a sister, Deirdre (Jeff) Schleigh-Robbins of New Zealand; a sister-in-law, Cathy Flower-Schleigh of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Martha Ruhnow; and a brother, Thomas Schleigh.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 20, 2025) at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull St., Cuba; and again from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at which time a memorial service will be held in the funeral home. The Rev. Luke Granger, pastor of Cuba First Baptist Church, will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Allegany County SPCA, 5440 Route 19, Belmont, NY 14813, at spcaallegany.org.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.