Dr. James P. Tette

PENN YAN – Dr. James P. Tette, age 86, of Penn Yan, N.Y. passed away November 21, 2025, surrounded by love from his children and grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, November 28, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan. Catholic funeral rites are scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. at St. Michael's Church, 312 Liberty Street, Penn Yan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Michael School, 214 Keuka St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Jim was born on September 3, 1939, the son of Patrick and Anna Mae (Merkel) Tette, in Rochester, N.Y., where he grew up the eighth of ten siblings, Margie (Lee) Bernard, Lorie (Pete) Merkel, Michael (Dottie) Tette, Gerard (Fran) Tette, Mary Ann Tette, John Tette, Tom (Ginny) Tette, Raymond (Joan) Tette, and Terri (Dick) Callari.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sharan Tette; three children, Mark Tette, Monica (Ken) Marsh, and Matthew (Carrie) Tette; 10 grandchildren, Griffin Marsh, Casey Marsh, Riley Marsh, Adriaynna (Tyler) Orr, Alex Hudson, Alyssa Tette, Athena Tette, JD Tette, Finn Tette, and Claire Tette; as well as a great grandson Kanan Durfee.

Jim graduated from The Aquinas Institute of Rochester in 1958 before pursuing a B.S. in chemistry from St. John Fisher College, where he met the love of his life Sharan before graduating in 1962.

He earned a master's degree in chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross in 1963 and completed a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from the University at Buffalo in 1968. During his time in Buffalo, he and Sharan welcomed their first two children, before moving to Madison, Wisconsin where Jim completed his post-doctoral research.

After moving back to New York, Jim and Sharan welcomed their third child, Matthew, and established a home in Stanley, N.Y. Jim began his work at Cornell University in 1968, where he spent 29 years developing New York State's Integrated Pest Management Program into one of the nation's finest, while researching novel ways to reduce pesticide use. During his time at IPM, Jim was recognized with numerous awards for his research and leadership from Cornell and the Entomological Society of America.

Following his retirement, Jim continued volunteering his time with the community, teaching computer class at St. Michael School in Penn Yan before taking on the role of principal in 2005. He was also a proud member of the American Chemistry Society, Entomological Society of America, and the Knights of Columbus and his memory will forever live on with those whom his life touched.

To leave a family message of condolence, please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com