JAMES SYKES

SYKES--James William James William Sykes of New York, died on March 25, 2023. Born on Long Island, NY, the son of Jean George and Macrae Sykes, "Jimmy" attended Friends Academy and graduated from Williams College in 1963. At Williams, he played football for his beloved Ephmen, where he earned the nickname "Machine". Jimmy was a proud father to three children with his former wife Ellen Isbrandtsen Sykes, Macrae II (Carisa) of Old Greenwich, CT, Patricia Madeline of New York, NY, and Ware (Amalia) of Mill Valley, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ellen Ann, Richard James, Jane Macrae, Rawleigh Macrae, Eben Cotten Sykes. For over forty years, he was an investment portfolio manager, beginning at Shields & Company, and retiring from Halcyon Capital Management. A lifelong competitive sailor, on the water was where he was happiest. He won numerous championships on Long Island Sound including two Shields Nationals and was featured in Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd at age 17. He competed in twenty Newport to Bermuda races, skippering many on his Bombardino sloop and winning his class in 2008. Every race as a skipper, he had at least one or more of his children as crew. He was a member of The Union Club, New York Yacht Club, American Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club and Coral Beach Club. A quiet and happy man, he cared deeply for his friends, family and fellow crew, listening more often than he spoke. He was well-respected and beloved by his peers. A Memorial Service will be held on May 11 at 11am at St. James Church, 865 Madison Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Williams College, Friends Academy (Locust Valley, NY), or the Storm Trysail Foundation.