James Michael Wanca

James M. Wanca (Jim), 83, of Hurley, NY, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, NY. Born in 1942 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Michael and Kathryn (Forgus) Wanca.

Jim was the devoted husband of the late Barbara (Malone) Wanca, beloved step-father to Dawn Malone (Ben Fortunato) and the late Thomas Malone, and a devoted grandfather to Caitlin Fortunato (Tim Avrutik) and Matthew Fortunato.

Growing up in Jersey City, Jim proudly served in the US Navy from 1962 to 1964. He later built a career as a Tool and Die maker, working for many years at Unette Corp. in NJ and after relocating to Hurley, NY, he was employed by Stamp, Inc. in Rhinebeck and AMETEK Rotron, Inc. in Woodstock. An avid outdoorsman, Jim thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and camping, especially cherishing the many RV camping trips he took with his late wife, Barbara.

Jim is survived by his beloved sisters, Donna Yavorski and Elizabeth Crocetta, and his sister-in-law, Mary Wanca. He is also survived by nieces Liz (Tim) Mathews, Andrea (Scott) Ader, Jessica Darraugh, nephews, Anthony (Mina) Drozdowski, Joseph Crocetta, Michael (Traci) Wanca and Dylan Skursky, and grandnieces, Angela Mathews, Kathryn and Christine Ader, Ava and Olivia Darraugh and grandnephews, Michael and Christopher Wanca. In addition to his parents, wife, and step-son, he was predeceased by his siblings Michael Wanca, Ted Wanca, and Kathryn (Kitchie) Drozdowski.

Jim will be remembered for his steadfast character, passion for adventure, and grace under pressure.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service in Kingston, NY. The funeral service and burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Hollywood Memorial Park & Cemetery, located at 1500 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083.

For those who wish to honor his memory, contributions may be made to Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescue at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/logans-heroes-animal-rescue-donation or you can view their website here: https://www.lharinc.org/