James Ignatio Colasanti

James "Jim the Dog Man" Colasanti, Jr. departed today March 06, 2026 to be with his family, friends, and classmates in Heaven while stopping off at the Rainbow Bridge to retrieve his many four-legged and three legged dog and cat clan to join him.

James was born on May 23, 1949 in Gloversville, NY., the only child of Mary C. and James I.

Colasanti, Sr. He resided and grew up with his family, and his first dog, Butchy, who appears in

many of his dog stories, at 15 South Chase Street, Johnstown, NY.

James was a 1967 graduate of Johnstown High School the Sir Bills where he was the photography

editor of The Baronet, the school yearbook. He was also a sports manager for the high school

basketball team. He appeared as "Hugo" in the senior class play, The Scent Of The Roses (by

Aileen Leslie). He then attended the Syracuse University School of the Arts where he earned a BFA degree in 1971. During his college ears he worked on two feature-length motion pictures, The Sterile

Cuckoo with Liza Minnelli, and Hello, Dolly with Barbara Streisand.

He also attended Woodstock where he "ran into" Janis Joplin.

He moved to North Carolina in 1973 where he has been an advocate for rescuing homeless and stray dogs. James was a supporting member of the Dog Writers Association of America where he was the recipient of four Maxwell Medallions given for excellence in storytelling. He also established an annual dog writing poetry award.

In May 1975, James met Samuel Clark Whicker, who would become his Life Partner for the next 46 years. Together they rescued and housed over 53 stray dogs and 5 cats. James was predeceased by Samuel (02/20/2022). James also served as president of the board of the Animal Rescue & Foster Program of Greensboro, NC.

At the request of the family in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Burlington Pet Adoption Center, 221 Stone Quarry Road Burlington, NC. 27217 (336) 578-0343.

There will not be a visitation.