JAMES EVANS

EVANS--James Frederick III, 69, of Cazenovia, NY, passed away from heart failure on January 16, 2023. Jim was born on April 8, 1953, the son of James F. Evans, Jr., and Barbara Bradshaw Evans. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1971 and attended Harvard University, where he earned his A.B. (cum laude) in 1975. He received his J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1980, where he served as Editor of the UCC Digest. Jim met Mary Selden Metz during their studies at Harvard; they married in 1981. Jim joined the law firm of Robert P. Rothman P.C. in Syracuse, NY. He rose to managing Partner and subsequently acquired the practice in 2015. Jim had a lifelong passion for music and was an accomplished pianist. He performed his original compositions in recitals throughout his life. In recent years he expanded his repertoire to include the harpsichord. He was a natural and highly impressive polymath whose interests included Hegel, opera, Keats and P. G. Wodehouse. Engaging and sociable, Jim cherished his private life with Mary. Together they achieved a rich fulfillment, making his untimely death a blow to his family and all who knew him. Jim was a lifelong resident of Cazenovia. He served as president of the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation. He was also a member of the Cazenovia Club, Willow Bank Yacht Club and the Harvard Club. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 41 years; sister Margaret Evans Lane of Cazenovia; brother Bradshaw Allen Evans (Shawna) of Barrington, RI; three nieces Elizabeth Lane Fraschilla (Richard), Emily Lane Miejo (Piero), and Samantha Evans; two nephews, Christopher Lane and Bradshaw Evans Jr.; two great-nieces, Madeline Fraschilla and Lucie Miejo; and Mary's sisters, Helen Winchester Metz and Grace Chapin Metz (Christopher Hunton). A celebration of Jim's life will be held at a later date.