Obituary for James W. Sherman
James Warren Sherman, 92, of Longmeadow MA, formerly of Somers CT, passed away at home in Longmeadow on April 17, 2021. Born December 8, 1928 in Detroit MI, Jim was the son of Dr. Jay J. and Rhea M. Sherman.
Always the adventurer, while a teenager, Jim hitchhiked from Detroit to Los Angeles and New Orleans, volunteered on a Heifer Program ship carrying hundreds of horses to war-devastated Greece, helped construct buildings at College General in France, and worked with the poor in Guatemala.
Jim met Lucile (Gove) Sherman, his wife of 68 happy years, while they were students at Tufts University. Jim proudly served his country 1951-1955 as a naval officer (Lt USNR Ret) on the USS Palau during the Korean conflict. Naval service took Jim and Lu to Newport, RI; Norfolk, VA; and Philadelphia, PA. After four years in Washington D.C., where Jim worked full time while studying law at night at American University, they moved to Enfield, CT with their three sons.
In addition to being a great husband and supportive father, Jim practiced law for 50 years beginning at Gilman & Marks in Hartford. Jim chaired the Enfield Town Hall building committee, was a charter member of the Enfield Historical Society and was instrumental in preserving the Old Town Hall, Martha Parsons House, and Wallop School House.
In 1963, Jim and Lu purchased and restored a historic house on Main Street in Somers and supported efforts to preserve the town’s historic character. He greatly enjoyed the natural beauty of the world, was a longtime member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and worked to make it possible for others to enjoy the outdoors. Jim enjoyed reading history, listening to classical music, Boy Scouting, served on Town Committees and was Judge of Probate. Lu and Jim helped sponsor the Kit family, from Cambodia, as they began their new life in Somers. The Kits continue to be a beloved part of the family.
Jim was always ready to help others and could be counted on to stand up for principles and causes regardless of their popularity or probability of success. Jim was kind and optimistic and always ready with humor or a pertinent colorful anecdote. Jim lived his Christian faith in many ways, including advocating for independent Congregational churches, supporting Teen Challenge’s efforts to overcome drug addiction, open Connecticut beaches to the urban poor, and studying at Gordon Conwell seminary.
Jim leaves two surviving sons and one daughter-in-law, John S. Sherman and his wife Margaret of Slingerlands NY and Robert J. Sherman of Hallowell ME; two grandchildren, Nathaniel F. of Los Angeles CA and William W. of New York City; a sister, Betty Jane Selde of Walla Walla WA; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; the extended Kit family; and the particularly hardy lifelong friends from Detroit Central High School, his Navy days, and life in Connecticut and at Glenmeadow.
Leete Stevens Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Family and friends are invited to attend a zoom Celebration of Life service to be held on Saturday, June 5, at 3:00 pm EDT. For a zoom link, please email John at jsherman@nycap.rr.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106, to Trustees of Tufts College, Tufts University, P.O. Box 3306, Boston, MA 02241, or a charity of your choice.
Always the adventurer, while a teenager, Jim hitchhiked from Detroit to Los Angeles and New Orleans, volunteered on a Heifer Program ship carrying hundreds of horses to war-devastated Greece, helped construct buildings at College General in France, and worked with the poor in Guatemala.
Jim met Lucile (Gove) Sherman, his wife of 68 happy years, while they were students at Tufts University. Jim proudly served his country 1951-1955 as a naval officer (Lt USNR Ret) on the USS Palau during the Korean conflict. Naval service took Jim and Lu to Newport, RI; Norfolk, VA; and Philadelphia, PA. After four years in Washington D.C., where Jim worked full time while studying law at night at American University, they moved to Enfield, CT with their three sons.
In addition to being a great husband and supportive father, Jim practiced law for 50 years beginning at Gilman & Marks in Hartford. Jim chaired the Enfield Town Hall building committee, was a charter member of the Enfield Historical Society and was instrumental in preserving the Old Town Hall, Martha Parsons House, and Wallop School House.
In 1963, Jim and Lu purchased and restored a historic house on Main Street in Somers and supported efforts to preserve the town’s historic character. He greatly enjoyed the natural beauty of the world, was a longtime member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and worked to make it possible for others to enjoy the outdoors. Jim enjoyed reading history, listening to classical music, Boy Scouting, served on Town Committees and was Judge of Probate. Lu and Jim helped sponsor the Kit family, from Cambodia, as they began their new life in Somers. The Kits continue to be a beloved part of the family.
Jim was always ready to help others and could be counted on to stand up for principles and causes regardless of their popularity or probability of success. Jim was kind and optimistic and always ready with humor or a pertinent colorful anecdote. Jim lived his Christian faith in many ways, including advocating for independent Congregational churches, supporting Teen Challenge’s efforts to overcome drug addiction, open Connecticut beaches to the urban poor, and studying at Gordon Conwell seminary.
Jim leaves two surviving sons and one daughter-in-law, John S. Sherman and his wife Margaret of Slingerlands NY and Robert J. Sherman of Hallowell ME; two grandchildren, Nathaniel F. of Los Angeles CA and William W. of New York City; a sister, Betty Jane Selde of Walla Walla WA; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; the extended Kit family; and the particularly hardy lifelong friends from Detroit Central High School, his Navy days, and life in Connecticut and at Glenmeadow.
Leete Stevens Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Family and friends are invited to attend a zoom Celebration of Life service to be held on Saturday, June 5, at 3:00 pm EDT. For a zoom link, please email John at jsherman@nycap.rr.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106, to Trustees of Tufts College, Tufts University, P.O. Box 3306, Boston, MA 02241, or a charity of your choice.