James E. Gladstone

James Gladstone, 87, of 215 North Cayuga Street, Ithaca, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on April 8, 2007. He is survived by his wife Jeanette Gladstone, his daughter Andi Gladstone (Yvonne Fisher), and his two grandchildren Jeremy Ellison-Gladstone and Anna Ellison-Gladstone. He is predeceased by his daughter Susan Gladstone.

Jim passed away after a lifetime of devotion to his family, to the quiet and beauty of nature, to music and books, and to the causes of under-served people and all forms of progressive politics.

Jim was born in Hartford, Connecticut and lived most of his life in that area. He worked in downtown Hartford as a doctor of optometry from 1946-2000 where he saw and loved generations of Hartford families as patients. He was active in local politics and was much loved by a large circle of friends and family for his gentle nature and his deep wit.

Jim moved to Ithaca in 2003 with his wife Jeanette to be near to their daughter Andi. Jim always missed Connecticut but he admired the beauty and values of Ithaca and often said he wished he had discovered Ithaca earlier in life. Jim loved any body of water and took great pleasure in walking along Cayuga Lake through all kinds of weather, especially on cold, snowy days.

Jim liked all sports. Throughout his life, he was an avid swimmer and fly fisherman. When he was well into his 50's his daughter Susan, a marathon runner, introduced him to running. Jim continued to run until he was 80, often noting how grateful he was to have discovered such a wonderful way to exercise and meditate at the same time.

Jim and Jeanette have been together since they were in high school, married for 65 years. They went through a lifetime of many blessings and some deep sorrows, never wavering in their love and enjoyment of each other. They could always make each other laugh and liked to say that theirs was the love affair of the century.

Jim's family wants to express deepest gratitude to many in our wonderful Ithaca community for brightening his life, and especially to Erin Quinn for giving Jim such deeply skilled and loving care, great conversations, and for the endless flow of CD's of Jim's favorite music these last months of his life.

Shiva calling hours will be at the DeWitt Mall, Apt. 301, from 2-5pm Friday, April 13 and Saturday April 14.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that anyone who wants to can make a donation to any of the following organizations in memory of Jim: Doctors Without Borders/Darfur Relief, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-5030, Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 or Cayuga Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 722, Ithaca, NY 14851.

Page Submitted by: Joseph L. Sibley, Director