James William Lewert

James William Lewert “Jim”, resident of Norwalk, CT passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025 at the age of 82 with his beloved and devoted life partner Janice by his side. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and raised in Manhasset, LI, New York. He had a very close and loving relationship with his nuclear family who endeared him as “Little Lew”. He is predeceased by his father Phillip Lewert, mother Martha Ronger Lewert and his 10-year older brother Phillip whom he called by his middle name “Bob”.

Jim will be remembered as a loving, caring individual who had many friends who loved him. He was a great listener, patient and supportive, compassionate as well as dignified and respected by those who knew him. He was a selfless human being who offered a helping hand and ear to those who needed or wanted it. He took pride in teaching others the things he knew best, whether it pertained to his favorite sports, varied interests, acquired knowledge and training, or, early on in his first profession, as a teacher in the public school system.

Jim was an avid reader and throughout his life spent much time developing critical independent thinking. He talked about, that in as early as his teen age years, high school teachers, recognizing the depth of his knowledge in selected topics, would call upon him to either embellish or play devil's advocate to a conventional point of view, in order to create a debating type of learning environment. He continued his pursuit of in-depth knowledge and analytical capabilities in many areas.

In high school he was a good student, yet also was a serious athlete. He was on the high school tennis team, played basketball and acted in several student plays. Influenced by attending sports events with his elder brother, Jim became a staunch Knicks basketball and a New York Giants football fan. However, he favored the St. Louis Cardinals over local baseball teams, largely because of his idol Stan Musial! He also became an advanced snow skier, cyclist, and an accomplished Amateur Competitive International Ballroom dancer, having won a trophy one year in 2 amateur events of the prestigious Ohio Star Ball Championships, a Major Competition. He loved to listen to his favorite music and developed an extensive music collection. And his most prized possession was, of course, his car! He enjoyed cruises and later taught ballroom dancing on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE 2), among others. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Clark University (Worcester Mass). He also completed advanced studies at Pennsylvania’s Keystone College and Lehigh University. He earned a graduate degree from UPenn’s Wharton School of Business.

During his formative years, Jim eagerly would await the elaborate toy train exhibit his father Phil senior would build for him each Christmas. That may have had an impact on Jim’s decision to pursue a career in the travel and transportation industries, initially with the Airlines and for many following years as a Manager in Information Systems Development with the Long Island Rail Road.

Jim and the love of his life, Janice Tiberii Booth, spent many happy years together. They would enjoy walks and talks by the Rowayton Shore, sunsets with wine and cheese at Bayley Beach, taking cruise vacations, ballroom dancing weekly wherever they found themselves, or attending more planned and formal Black Tie events, working out at the fitness studio, fine dining in restaurants, tennis at the U.S. Open, annual trips to Florida, Domestic and International travel, and lengthy car rides to visit with family and friends. They belonged to The Darien Dance Cotillion, the Pickwick Society of Greenwich CT, among others. Jim and Janice continued to be Knicks and Giants fans. And they took great joy in hosting others in their lovely home.

Jim developed many friends throughout his lifetime. He was a kind and patient individual who loved to help people in many ways and loved to teach. He was very humble and accepting of others. He hardly ever complained or asked for anything in return. Largely due to his acquired knowledge, critical thinking and analytical capabilities he became a real problem solver both in business and on an individual level. He had developed a unique perspective on the many vagaries of life that he used to encourage and comfort others.

He is survived by his life partner Janice, a nephew Robert Lewert, a niece Michele Primich and her husband Michael Primich, three grandnieces Alexandria, Aliyah, Charlize, a nephew Christopher Lewert and his wife Stacey Lewert, another grandniece, Autumn, and one grandnephew Ashton, now taking on the title “Little Lew”.

Jim was loved by many who will forever miss him.

Friends are invited to a visitation on December 17, 2025 from 9:30 until 11:15 am and a remembrance service from 11:15 am until 12:00 pm at the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street in Historic Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Norwalk. Please visit www.Raymond.Care to leave an online condolence. 

Charitable Donations can be made In Loving Memory of James William Lewert to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.