James Francis Thorpe, 75, life-long artist and professor passed from this earth as he was held and embraced by his adoring family on January 6, 2016 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Born December 4, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jim was an avid nature enthusiast whose most favorite activities
included walks with his Golden Retrievers through the woods of Central New York, and fishing and swimming the crystal clear waters of his lake in Northern
Michigan.
Jim began his career studying fine art at Michigan State where he received his bachelor's degree, and then later at Yale University where, working directly under leading art figures such as Frank Stella, James Rosenquist, and Jack Tworkov, he received his MFA in painting ('68). He would go on to teach at Yale and the Cooper Union College of Art in NYC before he became a treasured member of the Fine Arts Faculty at SUNY Cortland, where he taught painting, drawing, and design for 33 years.
Jim was a proud descendent of Norwegian and viking heritage, and like his ancestors before him he had a deep passion and appreciation for the natural beauty of the outdoors. He also loved cooking and preparing lavish meals, building furniture, the NY Yankees, launching fireworks, hunting mushrooms and climbing sand-dunes, but most of all he loved and treasured his family and devoted his life to his wife and best friend Molly Thorpe, their two sons James Noah Thorpe of Cortland and Luke Thorpe of Brooklyn, three daughters Tess Walsh of Baldwinsville, Tracy Thorpe of Martha's Vineyard, Laurie (Martin) Cary of Anchorage, Alaska, and his six grandchildren Ashley, Zachary and Jacob Walsh, Thorpe and Kieran Karabees and Haley Cary. Jim is also survived by his loving siblings; brother Denny Thorpe of Lake Ann, Michigan and two sisters Patti Thorpe and Linda (Greg) Jaris,, both of Frankfort, Michigan, many nieces and nephews and his beloved, devoted Golden Retriever Remy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10AM in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Zareski presiding. The family will be
present to receive friends on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. in the chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main St. Cortland, NY. Contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Catholic Charities 33-35 Central Ave., Cortland, NY, 13045 or St. Mary's Parochial School 61 N. Main St., Cortland, NY, 13045. Condolences may also be sent to the family by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com
