James Sweeney, Jr.
James Edward Sweeney Jr “Jim”, 72, a longtime resident of Clifton Park, died peacefully in Saratoga Hospital on July 31, 2025 after a long illness. He was born in Troy, NY on February 17, 1953 and was the son of the late James Edward and Phyllis Mae (Wixted) Sweeney. He is survived by his wife of fifty years Bonnie Carolyn (McMillen) Sweeney and his children; Rhonda Bombard, Jamie (Chad) Viall and James Edward Sweeney III (Bridget L Fairchild); step-daughter Diana Heffernan; grandchildren Jonathan (Luz) Heffernan, David (Rosangela) Heffernan, Chad (Kyliee) Viall Jr., Richard Koonz and Gianna Viall; grandson-in-law Thomas Jarvis-Viall and great-grandson Linkyn Jarvis-Viall. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Samantha Jarvis-Viall.
Affectionately known as “Jigger” to his family and he would often share great memories of growing up as one of nine siblings on a horse farm that resulted in many stories of mischief, fun, chaos and love. His siblings include Geneva DiFiore, Patricia (Michael) Amador, Kathleen Coleman, John (Mary) Sweeney, and Donna Sweeney; numerous nieces and nephews that he adored and prayed for daily. He was predeceased by his; sisters Mary (Arthur) Savoy and Phyllis MacKenzie; brother Dennis Sweeney; brothers-in-law Matthew DiFiore and Matthew Coleman.
His life-long love of music started with playing the cello at the age of ten and transitioning to the guitar where he enjoyed introducing new generations to great classic songs like “Country Roads” while also creating new and beautiful worship songs. He was a gifted woodworker and worked as a General Contractor/Painter up until his retirement. He also loved to cook and host family dinners with his wife and enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids. He loved attending and serving at Grace Fellowship Church in Halfmoon and attending bible study/prayer services at the Round Lake Methodist Church. His number one purpose was to share the salvation message and love of Jesus while praying for the broken, sick and hurting. He had a wonderful sense of humor with his never ending supply of jokes because he loved to make people laugh and brighten their day.
A huge thank you to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff at Saratoga Hospital for providing outstanding care in the last days to not just Jim but the entire family.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Grace Fellowship – Halfmoon Campus, 1 Enterprise Ave., Clifton Park, New York 12065.