On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, James Lee Van Nostrand, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 76 years old.
He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Sara (Sepe) Van Nostrand; his daughter Beth (Van Nostrand) Caraccio and her husband Michael; his son Brad and his wife Patricia (Pabon) Van Nostrand and his beloved grandchildren, Dominick, Gianna, Gabriella and Scarlett, as well as his brother Gary, sister Lynne and many brother and sister in- laws, nieces and nephews. Jim is predeceased in death by his father and mother.
Jim was born on Jan. 22, 1944, the son of James and Harriet (Boyce) Van Nostrand, and raised in Interlaken, N.Y. Jim adored growing up in Interlaken and often reflected fondly on his many memories of his small-town upbringing with his siblings and friends on the shores of Cayuga Lake.
Jim graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in education and received his master’s degree from Syracuse University. He moved to Skaneateles in 1965 and fell in love with the small town and community like the one in which he grew up. Jim was an elementary school math and science teacher for Skaneateles schools for 19 years and then worked in sales and marketing for many years after that.
On Aug. 12, 1972 Jim married Sara (Sepe) Van Nostrand and together they raised their children Beth and Brad.
Jim enjoyed playing the piano, listening to music and dancing in many Skan-e-antics productions over the years. He was an avid bridge player and loved to socialize with dear friends and tell jokes. Above all, he adored his wife, children and grandchildren and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. He felt such pride in their lives and successes. When he became a grandparent, he found his new passion and purpose.
Jim was involved in a car accident in 2007 in which he suffered a traumatic brain injury, dramatically changing his life forever. With the continued love and support of his family, he persevered for 13 long years, but eventually time took its toll on his body and mind, and he finally found the peace and freedom he so deserved.
A mass for Jim will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles, followed by a private burial and then a gathering for family and friends.
In memory of Jim’s love of education, Skaneateles and his grandchildren, any donations can be made to: The Skaneateles Education Foundation skanedfoundation.org
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
