Dr. James C. Zgoda D.V.M. passed away unexpectedly at home with his wife, Sue by his side.

He was a 1985 graduate from Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine.

He worked in several practices before finding his permanent home at Otterkill Animal Hospital in Campbell Hall, NY in 1995.

He loved animals and his motto was "If it fits through the door, we’ll see it". Jim was very active in the veterinary community where he wore many hats. He was a Board member of the New York State Veterinary Society, and also was a member of the Hudson Valley Veterinary Medical Society. These organizations were just a few of the many that he was a member of. He loved to mentor students who were interested in pursuing the veterinary field and he always went above and beyond to show his compassion and love for animals and their human families.

Jim was an Assistant Scoutmaster in Boy Scout Troop 125 out of Coldenham Fire Department. He was a very dedicated and compassionate leader helping boys become successful young men. He highly believed in using the outdoors to teach the boys lifelong skills. He was an avid hiker, kayaker, camper, and loved anything related to the outdoors. He enjoyed "forest bathing" immensely and found peace in nature.

Jim was a phenomenal father to his two children, Teri and Justin who he loved more than anything in the world. He was an amazing husband to his wife Sue as well as a wonderful son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. He leaves behind his wife, two children, his parents Jim and Connie (Hampton, NJ), his sister Diane and husband Gary (Leesburg, VA), his sister Sharon (Poolesville, MD), and his brother Mark and wife Nancy (Phillipsburg, NJ), his nieces and nephews; Molly, Ellie, Mark, Mary, Annie, Brittany and her husband Nick, Matthew, and Alex, Steven and Erica and his extended Otter Family who he loved so much.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 14, 2016, 3-7PM at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St.Walden, NY.

A funeral mass will be Monday, February 15, 2016, 10:30AM at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 2800 Route 17K, Bullville, NY.

Jim’s wish was to celebrate his life and his accomplishments, so please dress in brightly colored attire. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Veterinary Information Network Foundation at www.vinfoundation.org, Cornell University at www.vet.cornell.edu/gifts or Walden Humane Society P.O. Box 135, Walden, NY 12586.

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