IN MEMORIAM: James E. Wightman, 80;
Oswego Native Pursued Insurance Career
COOPERSTOWN – James E. Wightman, 80, died Monday, March 11, 2019, at Cooperstown Center.
Jim was born May 25, 1938, in Colosse Hamlet, Oswego County, to Charles and Marie Wightman. He graduated from Cooperstown Central School, Class of 1956.
Jim married Carol Payne of Watertown in 1963 and Linda Cartin in 1975. Both marriages ended in divorce, but the three of them remained lifelong friends.
Jim spent two years in the Army as a medic and thereafter worked for many years in the insurance business. He started working for the Agricultural Insurance Co. in 1962 and was vice president of Policy Advancement Corp. (PAC). He also owned a fast food franchise in Oneonta for about 10 years.
In his youth, Jim enjoyed tennis and skiing. Later, he was an enthusiast of local art and the occasional road trip. Most of all, he enjoyed the company of his many friends in Cooperstown and Watertown.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Keeley L. Wightman of Rochester and son, Bill McCarthy of Evanston, Ill.
Calling hours for Jim will be 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in Jim’s memory be made to St. Labre Indian School, Highway 447, Ashland, MT 59004.
Jim was a great and faithful friend for many years! We skied together at Mt. Otsego. We traveled together on the CCS basketball team bus. We managed to get together once when we were both stationed at the same base in the US Army. All of his classmates appreciated his selfless efforts to keep everyone connected, and planning gatherings.
My wife, Anita, and I will miss seeing him sitting on his Beaver Street porch.
We offer our condolences to Jim’s family.