Former DA Jim Angell Passes Away

Smethport - James Kenyon Angell, 72, a lifelong resident of the Smethport area, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2011 at the home of his brother, Bill, in Tampa, Florida.

Born on August 30, 1938 in Cortland, New York, Jim was the youngest of three sons born to Attorney H. Kenyon Angell and wife Martha Willson Angell. After the unfortunate early passing of both parents, he and his brothers were taken in and raised by Martha's sister, Mary Putnam Willson, who doted on the boys and relocated the family to Crosby, PA. During his childhood and teenaged years in the woods of rural Pennsylvania, he developed his lifelong love of hunting, fishing, trapping and many other sportsmenlike activities. He also spent many happy summers at the family vacation home in Canandaigua, New York.

A popular and academic student, Jim graduated from Smethport High School in 1956, and began his college education later that year at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse he became a member of the Psi Epsilon Social Fraternity and played for the University LaCrosse team, beginning a special kinship with that sport and that team that he shared for the rest of his life. He graduated from Syracuse in 1960 and immediately joined the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Special Forces (Green Berets). He fondly remembered his paratroop training and other army activities. He was stationed at Fort Ord, California and served for a time with his unit in Japan, rising to the rank of Captain.

After leaving the army, he resumed his academic career at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago, eventually bringing his wife Donna Slezak Angell to join him during his final year. After his graduation in 1966, the couple and their young son Kirk Andrew returned to the Smethport Area, where Jim quickly established a law practice as a member of the McKean County Bar. His family eventually grew to include daughters Bethany Quinn and Adrienne Martha. Jim enjoyed a successful stint as McKean County Public Defender and was subsequently appointed and then elected to the post of McKean County District Attorney. He was well known for his dynamic courtroom presence and commanding litigation style. He practiced for some years with his brother, George B. Angell and attorney Jay Paul Kahle in a firm known as Angell, Angell & Kahle. He then established a successful solo practice in an historic building at 605 West Main Street, Smethport, where he was still practicing law at the time of his death. Jim was admitted to practice law in both state and federal Pennsylvania courts, and was a past-president and member of the McKean County Bar. He was also a member of the American Legion John Berg Post 976 and Bucktail Club Post 138.

Jim was pre-deceased by his youngest daughter Adrienne Martha Angell in 1986 and his brother Attorney George B. Angell in 1996. He is survived by his brother Dr. William W. Angell of Tampa, Florida, and wife, Judith Damir Angell, who were by his side as he passed, son Kirk Andrew Angell of Atlanta, Georgia, daughter Quinn Angell Cioffi, her husband Michael T. Cioffi and grandchildren Leah Cioffi and Caden Cioffi, all of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, as well as numerous cousins, other family and friends, including his loyal, long-time secretary, Nancy Johnson and former wife Donna Angell.

Visitation will be held on Wedneday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M . at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, PA, where funeral and committal services will be held on Thursday, at 10 A.M., with Rev. Stacey Fussell, Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Bradford. Burial will be in Norwich Cemetery, Colegrove, PA. Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion; John Berg Post #976, Crosby, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, can be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.