James Cargill Woodruff

1954 - 2022

James Cargill Woodruff passed away on November 30, 2022 at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA after a brief illness. Born in Hartford, CT on January 28, 1954, he was the son of the late Isobel C. Woodruff of West Hartford, CT and the late Stuart C. Woodruff of Granby, CT. He was a graduate of Pomfret School. He received a B.A. in British and American Literature from Brown University in 1975 and an M.A in Education from Gallaudet University in 1977.

He enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a teacher in secondary schools around the country. Brief stints at the Austine School for the Deaf in VT, the Phoenix School for the Deaf, the Iowa School for the Deaf, and Storm King School in NY were followed by longer stints at Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, MI (1985-2003) and Worcester Academy (2004-2021). Recently retired, he taught Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and all levels of Geometry – his favorite subject to teach. He called himself a "geometrician". A gifted teacher, he excelled at making complex topics easily understandable. In his spare time, he was an active member of the American Chesterton Society. Many considered him an expert on the writings of G.K. Chesterton and he lectured and wrote about Chesterton for many years. James was also an active member of the Grafton Shakespeare Club in Grafton, MA.

James was unusually curious and very well read on many topics and subjects. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his intellect, kindness, sense of humor, independence, and for his devotion to and affection for teaching and learning.

He is survived by his brother David of Cupar Fife, Scotland and his brother Stephen (Denise) of Simsbury, CT. Also surviving him are his nephews Bradley (Shaelin) and Benjamin (Meaghan), his nieces Allison and Meggie, his sister-in-law Gretchen, and Grandnephew Grayson. James was predeceased by his brothers Douglas and Peter and his sister-in-law Anne.

Funeral Services and Internment will be private. Please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com to view the "Book of Memories" for James, a permanent remembrance where friends and family may leave condolences, share stories and photos, or light candles in his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations in James' memory can be made to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108.