JAMES J. PAXSON

Jim, A lot has happened this year, both personally and in our world. I wish I could share it with you. Huge advances are being made and a new era of tech and simulation theory is abounding - you´d be so interested in how quickly the world is advancing! I think about how´d you´d perceive these changes and swear I can hear your running commentary on the significance and nature of evolutionary pathways. I know you´d be optimistic and would be drawing fastidious conclusions about the semantics of...

I still think of Jimmy often and miss him. I wish we had remained closer but I still cherish the times we spent together. He continues to remain a big influence in my life. He could recite Beowulf in middle English and all the dialogue from the three stooges.I will never forget him.

Frank Schiraldi

I just found out about the passing of Professor Paxson. He was one of the most brilliant English teachers I have ever had. He hugely influenced my decision to pursue a PhD in literature, and I now feel the deepest regret that I never articulated how much he had to do with my decision. I will always be inspired by his depth of knowledge coupled with his kindness and humor.

Prof. Paxson's courses on Chaucer and the Literature of Science were the two most impactful courses I have ever taken. That was six years ago. Somehow, I still know the general prologue to the Canterbury Tales by heart, and find that I recite it every once in a while out of the blue. Each time, I have in mind Paxson's bold pronunciation of the Middle English, open book in hand, striding between the aisles of desks. I was looking for his email address just now, but found this obituary instead....

Recently (Feb 2012) I came across Prof. Paxson's study of Kepler's Somnium. I wanted to know about his more recent work and the internet trail led me to this poignant but noble obituary of a good scholar of literature and science and a good family man.

Dr Stephen Pumfrey (History of Science, Lancaster University, U.K..)

I only took one survey class in Old English with Professor Paxson, and I can say with the conviction of a labored and tried student that Jim's intellect challenged his warmth, his warmth shepherded me through one of the most trying periods of my life, and now that my life has softened it will be my honor to work with gratitude to strengthen the legacy of a man I didn't know well but knew proudly. If Jim's knowledge was bequeathed to our world in his passing, then many problems will be soon...

Mrs.Paxston,
There are no words to express to you my deepest sympathy for both Jimmy and Jerry. They were two very different guys with very different ideals. However,they both were very loved in our little neighborhood on south chicot avenue in west islip...We all have shared a very common bond living on that block....the childhood memories with your boys are etched in our hearts forever....may the good Lord hold you in his arms and comfort you all the days of your life.
your old...