James “Big Jim” Reeves, age 62, of 98 North Applegate Road, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 11, 2009.

Born December 13, 1946 in Ithaca, a son of the late Kenneth and Jean Goodwin-Reeves. He graduated from High School in Connecticut, and returned to the Ithaca area. He has been known as a hardworking, local contractor for several years, which was a natural type of work for him, as he loved to “dig in the dirt with his toys”. He was a loyal friend to many, and went out of his way to be helpful to so those in need. Jim had a love and respect for Harleys and a passion for the friends and relationships that he made in the motorcycle circles. Jim was a role model for his nieces and nephews, whom he dearly loved, and to each gave aspirations of being just like “Uncle Big Jim”. In recent years, he and his grandson “Boomer” became inseparable, training him to be his “Assistant Vice President” of his excavating business.

He is survived by his children, Ashley Riley of Enfield, James L. “Little Jimmy” Reeves of Wallingford, CT and Angellica J. Riley of Enfield, and his only grandson, Branden “Boomer” Riley, his siblings, Linda Prinzhorn of Wallingford, CT, Walter (Lynda) of Goshen, CT, Jason and Jesse of Trumansburg and William of Enfield, and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kimberlee, a brother, Kenneth “Jiggs” and a sister Linda Reeves.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be hosted by his family at a date and location which will be scheduled and announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the “Scholarship Fund for Branden Riley”, c/o Tompkins Trust Company, PO Box 702, Trumansburg, NY 14886.