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James Robert "Jim" Crispi
James Robert "Jim" Crispi
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James Crispi Obituary
Jim went to Poughkeepsie NY schools, Cornell University (BA in Economics) and State of NY (MA Special Education).
A man of many talents, Jim's career in film making led him to make many commercials and films and to become a respected Director of Photography. He then transitioned to a fulfilling career in education, where he made a difference in the lives of young children at McQuade Children's Services and Meadow Hill School.
While at Meadow Hill School, in the SAVE room, Jim provided a safe space for students to express themselves, seek support, and learn important conflict resolution skills. He was known for his patience, understanding, and ability to connect with students on a personal level, making a lasting impact on those he encountered.
Jim's passion for animals and teaching defined his character. His artistic endeavors as a filmmaker and photographer showcased his creativity and love for the arts. Known for his infectious laughter and sense of humor, he brightened the lives of those around him.
Jim was a man of many talents - a creative writer, humorist, cartoonist, inventor and unique thinker. He always had a camera in hand and a pet by his side. He was an incredible support to his wife and daughter and was always there to lend an ear or a helping hand or make a meal. He will always be remembered by his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. His legacy of kindness, creativity, and dedication to helping others will be cherished by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and relatives.
He is survived by his wife Esther (Lori), daughter Rebecca, and grand-dogs Fin and Andi. Jim was
predeceased by his parents, Francis George Crispi and Viola Huddart Crispi, and his brother Francis John (Jack) Crispi...and his dear dog Veda.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ed Arenson
May 6, 2024
Friend
My list of good friends, which has never been large, is one smaller. My friend of six decades, Jim Crispi passed away today.
Jim was a gentle giant who spent his life within an eagle´s glide from Poughkeepsie, New York. He stood 6´5" but wouldn´t harm a mosquito.
I met him in my cinderblock college dorm the day I moved in. I had a single room but eventually roomed with Jim. We were inseparable that year and conspicuous in our peregrinations because of the dramatic difference in size; I was all of 5´5´ and 126 pounds at that time. He assumed the discordantrole of my personal goon as we roamed the hills above Cayuga Lake. We were trouble-makers,but our pranks were harmless. We would go to the cafeteria at night and buy all the oranges; we probably were developing scurvy. The clerk tried to save some for others but I would look up at Jim and he would emit a baritone growl that silenced the well-meaning clerk. Once, we decided to walk to the food truck in the women´s dorms wearing nothing but ourMunsingwear whitey tighties. I´m glad there was no Facebook in those days. Jim was buff, but I looked like I had just completed the Bataan Death March. The ladies were not impressed.
Jim and I rowed together on the crew. I was the coxswain who steered the 62-foot paper-thin shell while Jim, at seat 7, was the engine. When I not infrequently detected a lack of effort on his part, I would let him know by yelling through my megaphone, "Number 7, you´re lilly- dippin!" (Note the dropped g in dipping; I still had my Ohio accent.) Eventually, Jim accepted the accuracy of my complaints and took on the nickname, "Puddles". We developed a unique cadence when we conversed that we never lost; those of you who are twins might have had a similar way of creating your twin-to-twin language. Although we spent very little time together after college, we preserved our friendship, but we never learned to know each other as adults. Maybe that is why his adoring spouse, Lori, who had been in love with Jim since they were teenagers, was not overly enthusiastic about the fact that we were stuck in our collegiate mode for six decades. We awaited Armageddon and had plans to meet halfway between our homes to loot and pillage as the world came to its inevitable end.
Jim came to my daughter Jennifer´s wedding. He was sitting in the sun in front of his motel room when he saw me enter the parking lot on a bicycle. Jim yelled out in his collegiate voice, "Security. Someone call security!" Jim was a cinematographer specifically and an artist in general. He worked with some greats in the film industry. Later, he worked with troubled youth as a teacher and role model; he had his own demons.
Jim´s death is just the latest of life´s losses for me with many more to come. I guess the good news is that I am fortunate to have lived long enough to have these losses and to have not lost more. Having somebody to grieve for is much better than the alternative. Jim was my friend who, like the stars, might not be visible all the time, but you know is there if you need him. I will miss that very much. Good Night Puddles. You could have pulled that oar harder, but it was more than good enough for me and you had better things to do. Your friend, Eddie.
Steve Fuller
April 12, 2024
Condolences to Lori and Becky, and to all of Jim's friends. I have many memories to cherish: high school band and crew team, Cornell life including rides on Jim's motorcycle, times since when on Facebook seeing his wonderful artworks. He and his Dad treated me to golf on the Hospital campus, and I used to do my homework at his house in the afternoons waiting to go to crew practice. So many wonderful memories.
Nadine Lennon
April 12, 2024
Condolence to the Crispi family. I knew Jim through a very close and dear friend of his. I called them three old men on a couch, reason being that's where they would all sit in the office when they came to visit. They would watch aviation videos together and I would order these thick slices of mama too pizza. These men would talk and laugh together like young college kids in the dorm room. No Matter what they were going through if they are together or just a phone call the laughter and bond that they share you don't have to ask if these men was happy just hearing each other voices the conversation begins with a laugh from Jim then the atmosphere changes he would send aviation videos of his daughter flying and would call to make sure we got the video and open it. Jim the appearance his tall built grace your present each time with a warm smile and encouraging words that makes you forget what was troubling you from before. Jim went home to rest but will always be in the hearts of the many lives he had touch in some way or another.
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Miles Haven
April 11, 2024
Miles Haven
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Miles Haven
April 11, 2024
Friends from high school and college are very special. Although we saw each other infrequently, there was a special bond. Jimmy had an incredible sense of humor. During our teenage years, we played in the high school band together. Jim played the trombone. We shared the responsibility for our high school yearbook´s photography. I remember his parents when they lived on the Hudson River State Hospital campus. Jimmy and Lori knew my parents as well. Even back in high school, Jimmy was making war movies with special effects. I was in one! I will always remember Jimmy as a kind, fun-loving and devoted husband and father, and a close friend.
Leonard Goldstein
April 11, 2024
Jim Crispi. A classmate Poughkeepsie High '63. Trombonist and fellow class "clown". Loved to smile, amazingly intelligent. One of the really GOOD GUYS. Married another of my favorite classmates Lori . Reunited over the years and on Facebook. I am so saddened to see Jim has left us physically, but his memory will live on to any who's path he crossed. RIP classmate Condolences to Lori and Rebecca.
Robert Wagner
April 11, 2024
I miss Jim Crispi. We met on the set when we were both starting out. You know, the old days. Like when stunts were actually performed and the hours were long and the pay was low (some of that hasn't changed) and the laughs NEVER stopped. The worse the job the more we laughed.
We went canoeing once. It turned over. We laughed about that.
He'd train down and we'd go to dinner with friends and laugh. I'd train up and
we'd have lunch and laugh.
I'll miss Jim greatly, but I smile just thinking of him.
One of a kind.
Peter Dunbar
April 11, 2024
Meeting Jim at Ansel Productions when I was a PA just starting out int the film industry. A fixture along with John, Grove. The three stooges. Xoxox
Rob Levi
April 11, 2024
Condolences to all. Jim was a leading lighting commercial gaffer I closely worked with when I was fresh out of film school. In addition to be a master of his craft, he was able to use his interpersonal skills to manage the funny but often toxic jokes that directors used to throw his way. He was fierce in a gentle way. I was thrilled to reconnect with Jim in the recent past, making this loss all the harder for me. Rest peacefully, Big Jim!
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