James A. Goolsby Jr.

Goolsby, James A., Jr., passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at age 84 after battling several severe medical conditions. He was a resident of Huntington for 29 years and prior to that resided in Bayville and Roslyn Heights. He loved life and never lost hope for his recovery. Jim was predeceased by his first wife Karin and his daughter Elizabeth. He is survived by his present wife, Molly, son James, III twin sister Jane of Seattle, Washington, nieces Nancy & Betsy, brother Peter of Lillington, NC, and nephews Tom and Alex. Jim honorably served in the US Army as a member of the Infantry and Berlin Honor Guard. In his capacity as a licensed general contractor, Jim was the owner of Towne Carpentry of Roslyn Heights for many years. In 1970 he joined the Roslyn Highlands Fire Department, rising to the rank of Chief and later a Trustee of the Company and Trustee of the Exempts Association. During his tenure with the fire department, Jim was on scene at several major fires in the area and was one of the participants at the Avianca plane crash 35 years ago. Over the years Jim became known as “larger than life” and was often addressed as “The Legend” by other members of the department. In 1994 Jim accepted the position of Building Inspector and New York State Code Enforcement Officer for the Incorporated Village of Bayville, a position he held for over 20 years. He was well-respected by the residents and staff alike and always did his utmost to resolve the issues that came before him. Jim was an avid fly fisherman, enjoying annual trips to Roscoe, New York to fish the Beaver Kill and the Willowemoc Creek, believing in catch and release. He enjoyed tying his own flies and became quite accomplished. In the winter he often went turkey hunting in upstate New York. It was not unusual to see Jim out and about on his 1991 candy apple red Harley Low Rider going up to Bear Mountain, Rhode Island or Maryland with his special group of biker buddies. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 2pm to 6pm at Roslyn Highlands Fire Department, 270 Warner Avenue, Roslyn Heights, NY. In lieu of flowers, it was Jim’s request that a donation be made to one of the following: Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements made by Roslyn Heights Funeral Home, Roslyn Heights, NY.