Obituary of Howard James Hillis

Howard James “Jim” Hillis Allegany, NY Howard James “Jim” Hillis, 68, of 3575 Buffalo Rd., passed away suddenly Monday (November 15, 2021) at the Olean General Hospital emergency room. Born September 2, 1953 in Buffalo, he was the son of Howard J. and Jean Colbey Hillis. Jim was raised in Gowanda and graduated from high school there. He began work with SubCon Industries in Olean and initially commuted by bus from his parent’s home each day. In 1988 he moved to Allegany and was one of the first residents to move into the newly built Buffalo Road IRA as operated by The ReHabilitation Center (now Intandem). Jim was an iconic figure at Intandem and since his retirement had attended the Allegany DayHab program. He was a huge sports fan and followed the Boston Celtics, Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees. When he was upset with the Bills, he would root for the Green Bay Packers and was known to cheer for the Atlanta Braves when he was mad about something the Yankee organization did; he laughingly admitted to being a “fair weather fan.” Jimmy had a great sense of humor, and he enjoyed listening to jazz. In the past, he was an avid photographer and enjoyed a good chess match. Jimmy was also a talented sketch artist and developed a character who also used a wheelchair, whom he called “hotwheels.” Jim is survived by a sister Diane Apgar and her husband Irv of Amityville; a niece Amy Kiernan and a nephew Scott Apgar. He also leaves behind a myriad of friends at Intandem. The family is immensely grateful for the care Jim received from the staff and administration at Intandem over the years. There will be a visitation and memorial service on Monday (November 29, 2021) from 10am until 11am at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A service will begin at 11am in the funeral home. Burial will be later in the day at Pine Hill Cemetery in Gowanda. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Intandem, 1439 Buffalo St., Olean, NY 14760.