James Conant
Born on September 14, 1953, Jim grew up in Westport, CT. He studied electrical engineering at Princeton University, graduating magna cum laude in 1975 with a B.S.E.E. degree. He graduated from UCLA in 1977 with an M.S.E.E. degree. Through a career that spanned three corporations, Jim worked on radar seekerhead analysis and design, programmable signal processing systems for passive sonar, and software development and research, and came to hold two U.S. patents.
Active in the local community, Jim's volunteer efforts included coaching Math Counts at Whisconier Middle School in Brookfield, youth hockey, and soccer, and working for Citizens for a Better Brookfield, Friends of the Lake, and ALS-ETF (Emergency Treatment Fund). In addition, Jim was an avid ice-hockey player, water skier, and stock market investor, and was an excellent trumpet player in his college years.
Jim's passing on the day before his 61st birthday is a devastating loss to his family, friends, and the Brookfield community. He inspired us all with his courage, grace, and dignity while facing ALS. A reception is planned for Friday, September 19, at 10AM, followed by a memorial service which begins at 12PM. Both will be held at the Brookfield Congregational Church, located at 160 Whisconier Road, in Brookfield, CT. Jim requested that donations to ALS research be made in lieu of flower gifts in his memory. Donations may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital ALS research clinic (www.mghcureals.org), the ALS Association (www.alsa.org), ALSTDI (www.als.net), or to Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT (www.regionalhospicect.org/donate/).
To light a candle of hope and remembrance please visit our website at www.CornellMemorial.com
It’s sad but in a way fitting that Carter and Jim are next to each other. Two guys who were among the best students in our class—and who went to Princeton together—but they never flaunted their brilliance. And both were always willing to be so helpful. I reconnected with Jim at one of our Staples reunions (which, I suppose, shows how wonderful reunions can be). Jim was getting to the point of winding down his business responsibilities when he received the terrible diagnosis that he had ALS. But amazingly he then had a group of us up to his home and took us out on his boat—which is one small illustration of the type of giving person that he was. I can’t say I believe in life after death; but I acknowledge I can be wrong about that and, if so, I can imagine that Carter and Jim will be doing their own 50th reunion salute to our years at Staples.
tribute by Fred Cantor