James Paisley

James Anthony Paisley (July 1, 1928 - April 20, 2010) was an American politician, who served as the Mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, for two consecutive terms from January 1978 until December 1985.
Biography
Paisley was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1928 to the parents of John and Frances LaRocco Paisley. He was nicknamed both "Slim" and "Sonny".
He graduated from Hazleton High School in 1946 and served in the United States Army.<ref namelegacy/> He married his wife, Irene (née Bonomo) Paisley on April 18, 1953. The couple remained together for 57 years until his death..<ref namelegacy/>
Paisley also served as a lector and a eucharistic minister at his home parish, Most Precious Blood Parish in Hazleton, for many years.
Career
Paisley worked as a police officer in the Hazleton Police Department for twenty years, before retiring as a police captain in 1974.<ref namehss/> Additionally, he was employed as a drapery installer for Bonomo Decorators for 25 years.<ref namelegacy/>
Paisley was elected Mayor of Hazleton in 1976, defeating Democratic candidate, John Seamon.<ref namehss/> The two political foes became close friends during the mayoral campiagn.<ref namehss/> Paisley took office in January 1977. His secretary was his niece, the former Helene Paisley (now Seamon).<ref namewbtl/> He served as mayor for two consecutive terms. Paisley was defeated in the 1985 Republican primary election by John Ford,<ref namehss/> and left office in December 1985.<ref name=wbtl/>
After leaving office, Paisley worked for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department from 1985 until 1989.<ref namelegacy/> He later served as the executive director of the Hazleton Housing Authority until his retirement in 2005.<ref namelegacy/>
Death
Paisley peacefully died on April 20, 2010 at St. Luke's Manor in Hazleton. He was 81.<ref namehss/> He is survived by his wife, Irene Paisley, their two daughters, Francine and Carmela, and their son, the Very Rev. James Paisley, Pastor of St. Therese's Parish, Shavertown. He is also survived by a devoted brother, Michael Paisley, and his wife, Natalie, of Hazleton.<ref namehss/> A Roman Catholic, his funeral Mass was celebrated by his son, Father Jim Paisley. James was buried at their family mausoleum at the Most Precious Blood Cemetery in Hazleton. <ref name=legacy/>

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