Paul Charles James

Paul Charles James of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away on April 27, 2025 at the age of 90. Born in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, on January 31, 1935, he was the eldest of five children. Paul graduated from New Cumberland High School in 1952. He then attended Cornell University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. During his time at Cornell, he played tuba in the Big Red Band and was a member of Acacia Fraternity.
Paul began his career at BF Goodrich Corporation in 1956 as an Analytical Chemist but soon moved to the Tire Design and Development Department. While living in Akron, Ohio, he met Brenda Maree Bock, the love of his life. They married on June 30, 1962, and shared 62 years together.
Shortly after their wedding, Paul and Brenda embarked on eight years of international adventures. This included a six-year work assignment in Melbourne, Australia, where their son Eric was born, followed by a two-year assignment in Enschede, Netherlands, where their daughter Kimberley was born.
The James family returned to the Akron area in 1969, settling in the Village of Silver Lake. Paul advanced to Vice President of Research and Development at BF Goodrich. During this time, he rekindled his passion for music, performing in community concert bands and Dixieland groups like the "Sorta Forties."
Later, Paul's career took the family to Connecticut, where he served as Vice President of Research and Development and later President of Armstrong Tire Company in New Haven. He was subsequently the President of US Pirelli/Armstrong Tire until his retirement in 1992. Their 30 years of living in coastal Madison, Connecticut, hold many special memories of visiting family and friends.
In retirement, Paul remained active by serving on the board of The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival. The concert proceeds supported "Horns for Kids," a jazz program for high school students. As a "snowbird" and later a permanent resident of Bonita Springs, Florida, Paul continued his musical pursuits, playing tuba in the Naples Community Concert Band and The Bonita Village String Band. He also enjoyed editing family home movies, especially the soundtracks, and participated in outings and charity events with the Bonita Bay Fishing Club.
Paul will be remembered for his good nature, quick wit, friendship, love of music, and engineering mind that loved solving problems. His resilient spirit never wavered, even as he faced the challenges of Parkinson's disease for 30 years.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his son, Eric James and his wife Annette of Ithaca, New York; his daughter, Kimberley Denny and her husband Doug of Fort Myers, Florida; his brother, David James of Columbia, Missouri; his sister, Jill Sedor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and four grandchildren, Colin Denny, Megan Denny, Zoe James, and Evan James.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas James and Joseph James, and his parents, Joseph Bachman James and Ruth Troutman James.
A celebration of life will be arranged for Paul at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Parkinson's Foundation:
www.parkinson.org