WAMPSVILLE — Madison County’s longest serving supervisor James V. Rafte died at the age of 86 at his home on Thursday.

“The Madison County Employees and Board of Supervisors send their condolences to Jim’s family,” said Chairman John M. Becker.  “I worked with Jim for 10 years and he was always a true gentleman and statesman, he will be missed.”

Rafte served Madison County, the City of Oneida, and the Madison County Board of Supervisors for 48 years. During his tenure he saw that the Madison County government grow from scattered services throughout the County to the modern campus in Wampsville.

He oversaw the construction of the county jail, administrative building, the department of social services and the solid waste department campus.

Rafte served the constituents in Wards 4,5, and 6 of the City of Oneida from 1962 to 2016.

As chairman of the Planning, Economic Development, Environmental and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Rafte was instrumental in establishing the Madison County IDA, a consolidated agency to support and encourage business development in Madison County.

While on the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee he oversaw the development of innovative programs such as the creation of the materials recycling facility in partnership with the Madison-Cortland ARC, the establishment of a 100-year plan approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for disposal of solid waste and assisted with the implementation of a gas-to-energy facility.

Calling hours for Rafte will be held 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at Campbell-Dean Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at St. Patrick’s Church and burial will be in family plot at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.