James Wooster, age 69, died at Fort Lee, NJ on Monday, May 20, 2017, while jogging. He was born and raised in Williamstown, MA to his parents Howard B. Wooster and Jane Anne Broadhurst Wooster. He was an operating room medic in the Army during the Viet-Nam war and was stationed in Germany.

He attended Colgate University, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, North Adams State College and the University of Vermont. He also taught at all of them. He was a PHD in economics. He was the former Chief Economist of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the current Chief Economist for the New Jersey Treasury Department. He was also an advisor to Federal Government and a liaison between Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and Africa, as well as many other nations. While in Bulgaria he learned Bulgarian so that he could address their congress in their own language. He was also fluent in Russian. Difficult languages both. When he worked in Africa the natives thought he was possessed because he would go out and run in 100+ degree heat.

Jimmy was not just cerebral he was also a very physical guy which makes all of this so tragic. He played varsity football in high school for Bill Clark, not the easiest of coaches. He used to cross country ski up and down Mt. Greylock. He hiked the Long trail from almost the beginning to end. He loved jogging and biking and would bike 20 miles with his brother Tom as recently as five years ago.

James leaves his children, Edward and Lucille of Fort Lee, NJ, brothers, Thomas and his wife, Virginia of Northampton, MA, and Stephen and his wife, Sandy of Pittsford, VT, step-brother, Shaun Kelly, step-sister, Sheila Kelly and the late Sharon Kelly. He also leaves his former wife of many years Jean Talarico. He also leaves his dear cousin Robert Breen and his wife, Nancy of Waterbury, CN, both of whom he was very close to these last years.

He will be dearly missed by many aunts, uncles and cousins, nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: There will be a memorial service on June 24th at 11:00 AM at the Wooster grave site in Eastlawn Cemetery in Williamstown. All are welcome.