James Steven Rosenstein, 78, of Lenox, MA, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Berkshire Medical Center. A poet, classical guitarist, and linguist, Jim embodied a profound depth of creativity and intellect, all while remaining a deeply loving and compassionate man.

Jim was born in Hartford, CT, on April 1, 1946, the son of Abraham Joshua Rosenstein and Sarah Rose (Dobkin) Rosenstein. At the age of seven, his family moved to Mill River, MA, and he attended the Mill River School and Mount Everett Regional High School. He graduated from Suffield Academy in 1964 at the top of his class and then studied French History and Literature at Harvard University. At 21, he moved to Paris, France, where he studied at the Sorbonne University, graduating with a Master's degree in Conference Interpretation from the École Superieure d'Interpretes et de Traducteurs and a DEA+ (Master's Degree) in Ethnomusicology.

Jim was proficient in multiple languages. He was fluent in French and Portuguese, conversational in Spanish, and studied Chinese and German. His language skills led to his first role as a simultaneous interpreter for the French Ministry of Finance and international organizations. He went on to hold leadership roles in Corporate Communications at Banque Nationale de Paris, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Toyota Motor Europe and Bentley Motors. Jim also served as Executive Director of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in New York City.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Carolina (Torres de Araujo) Rosenstein whom he married in December 1980 in Paris, and his son, Philip Abraham Rosenstein of Brooklyn, NY. He also leaves his sister Alice Spatz, a musician, composer and educator in Lanesborough, MA, his brother-in-law, Dr. Lawrence Spatz, nieces and nephews. His sister Carol Gold, who was a sculptor, is deceased.

Jim moved back to the Berkshires in 2010, settling in Lenox. Here, he became deeply engaged with the community, serving on committees for the town of Lenox, Chesterwood, and at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service for James Rosenstein will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Chesterwood, OLLI, or Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires - ViM, in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA 01201. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 14, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for James Rosenstein

Sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle.

7 Entries

Elizabeth McClintock

September 16, 2025

My deepest sympathy for the loss of an accomplished human being to the entire family.
Elizabeth McClintock

MICHEL BOURGEOT

February 19, 2025

A good friend, a great colleague as well as a talented and versatile individual.

Nicholas S. McConnell

January 28, 2025

I transferred to Suffield Academy as a Junior in the fall of 1962 and had the good fortune to be assigned to an advanced English literature course conducted by a beloved, outstanding faculty member, Gordon Glover. Jim Rosenstein was in that class. From the outset of the class discussion of the first assigned reading, it was apparent that Jim's intellect operated at an order of magnitude above the rest of us. We were bright enough; Jim was brilliant. It remained a singular privilege to participate in the classroom give-and-take with a student of Jim's intelligence under Gordie Glover's robust tutelage. The experience repeated itself in the fall the next year in a literary criticism class conducted by Mason Nye, another beloved and singularly gifted teacher. Without apology or pretension, and much to our amusement, their colloquies often flew far above the domain of our insights. We all knew Jim was destined for an interesting and productive life.

And so it was - as we learned upon catching up with Jim for the first time in 50 years at our 50th and then again at our 55th class reunions, and meeting his wife, Carolina. It was as if the decades had fallen away - a warm and amiable regathering.

As others have noted, Jim was exceptional - intellectually gifted, modest, caring, and genuine. As much as any Suffield Academy student, he epitomized the school's motto: Esse Quam Videri - To be rather than to seem.

We dearly miss him and extend deepest condolences to Carolina, Jim's other family members, and his wide circle of friends and community colleagues.

Bob and Susan Saudek

January 23, 2025

Jim was a wonderful guy. We came to know him at Harvard´s ALI in 2011, and met him later, and he was one of the most genuine, compassionate, talented people I´ve ever known.

Ned Smith

January 23, 2025

Jim was a caring, kind soul who, although he had superior intelligence never lorded it over anyone, and I had the distinct pleasure of being with him and being introduced to Carolina at our 60th high school reunion.
He was truly an exceptional person.

Jon Booth

January 23, 2025

Jim and I were classmates at Suffield. I had no contact with him for 50 years, until he came to our 50th and 55th high school reunions. It was great to reconnect with Jim, get to know him as an adult and meet his wife, Carolina. He was one of the stars of our class and had a distinguished career. I'll miss him, but am glad to have known him. My condolences to Carolina.

Tammy Reardon

January 15, 2025

So very sorry for your loss. Jim was a precious soul.

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