James M. Niemira Sr., assistant personnel supervisor

James M. Niemira Sr., 61, assistant personnel supervisor for Williamsville Central Schools, died Thursday, June 14, 2007, in his East Amherst home.

Born in Depew, Mr. Niemira attended St. Mary's in Lancaster, graduated from Canisius College in 1967 with a degree in business and earned a master's in business administration from Pepperdine University in 1983.

Mr. Niemira had served as Williamsville Central School District personnel supervisor since 1995.

He was a distinguished military graduate of the Canisius College ROTC program and received a regular commission in the Army.

He served in the Army for 23½ years, including a tour in the Vietnam War. In addition to earning status as an Army Ranger, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Mr. Niemira was a logistics executive on loan to the International Olympic Committee during the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta and served as the senior personnel official for the World University Games held in Buffalo in 1993.

Mr. Niemira is survived by his wife, the former Judith Ann, who is the school nurse at Williamsville South; four sons, James Jr., Thomas, Michael and Christopher; a brother, Dennis; and three grandchildren.

Services were held Monday, June 18 from Wendel & Loecher Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Assumption Church.