James I Monroe

James I. Monroe, former mayor of Canton and physics professor at SUNY Canton, passed away in Annapolis, MD, on April 12, 2024, at the home of his daughter Katherine Boettrich.  He was 91 and was suffering from amyloidosis.    

Throughout his life, Jim showed a spirit of intellectual curiosity and diverse talent. He was a Chinese codebreaker at the Pentagon during the Korean War, surveyed bridges for Long Island's Southern State Parkway, was a physics professor at SUNY Canton, piloted small planes and developed the Canterbury Woods condominiums in Canton, NY.  An early environmentalist, Jim was the scientific adviser to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in the 1970s and was instrumental in forming the Alliance for Municipal Power for St. Lawrence County.

Jim deeply believed in justice, public service and helping others, values he shared with his wife of seventy years, Joyce.  

Driven by his love for his wife, Jim built a pickleball court at their Colton, NY home. Beyond his professional ventures, Jim's creativity extended to writing, publishing a physical science textbook and crafting numerous yet-to-be-published short stories.   

A cherished aspect of Jim's life was nurturing his children's skills, including teaching them to ski and sharing the slopes of Northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire with them. In his seventies, Jim further enriched his life by mastering the French horn, a passion he indulged while performing with the New Horizon Band in Potsdam, NY. He delighted in visiting and laughing with his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joyce, and his seven children: James L. Monroe and wife Fran, Canton, NY; Katherine Boettrich, Annapolis, MD; David Monroeand wife Arianne, Columbia, MD; Teresa Monroe, Amsterdam, NY; Steven Monroe and wife Michele,Pound Ridge, NY; Laura Monroe-Duprey, Fredericksburg, VA; and Natalie Monroe and husband Craig Perzan, Milton, MA. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Monroe, Brighton, MI; his sister, Renie Vigliotti, The Villages, FL; and half-brother, John Matthews, Laytonsville, MD.  

Jim and his wife have 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be at O’Leary’s Funeral Home on Thursday, April 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Canton, NY at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 19 will be followed by a burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements for James I. Monroe are under the care of the O’Leary Funeral Service of Canton. 

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