James L. Horend

JAMES LITCHFIELD HOREND died on January 15, 2024.

Jim was born on May 23, 1931, in Dobbs Ferry, NY, to Charles W and Marjorie E (Taylor) Horend. He was the loving husband of Jean Brennan Horend and proud father of James L. Horend, Jr. and Kristine E. Horend-DeSalvo. Jim was predeceased by his sisters, Barbara Kelly and Diane Honzak. In addition to his wife and children, Jim leaves his son-in-law, James J. DeSalvo, his stepchildren, Jennifer A. Rosenwald (Brad Hill), Timothy E. Rosenwald (Deborah), and Marianne C. Rosenwald Boschen (Taug), and his step grandson, Bodhi T. Boschen.

Jim attended The Ardsley, NY, Public Schools and graduated in 1949. For a time, he apprenticed in the plumbing and heating business and subsequently enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951, serving four years during the Korean War. He served aboard the destroyer, Alan M. Sumner, then became a hospital corpsman before his honorable discharge in 1955. He married Sonja Iversen, the mother of his children, in 1955; attended college, and graduated in 1958 with a BS from SUNY New Paltz. He received his MA in Science Education in 1968.

Jim spent most of his career in education, beginning with a teaching position in the Garrison, NY, school system. He retired in 1988 as Principal of The Glenham Elementary School in Beacon, NY. Jim served as Executive Director of Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center from 1988-1991 and subsequently served on the Board of Directors. In his retirement, he, along with his partner, Jean Brennan Rosenwald, served for 14 years as caretakers of the Putnam County Historical Society Foundry School Museum, now known as the Putnam Museum, in Cold Spring, NY. He served on the Board of Directors as Head of Building and Grounds.

Jean and Jim were married in 1999, at which time they moved to Cross River, NY. There, he served as president and member of both the Homeowners and Condo2 boards of their condominium complex. Jim derived great pleasure and satisfaction from teaching, especially concerning the natural world. He mentored young men and boys, helping them get a good sense of themselves and their adjustment to adult life. He loved cooking and nurturing his family and friends with good food. He adored sports, both the playing and the watching.

Memorial gifts will gratefully be received by Founders Hall, 193 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT, 06877, or Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center, PO Box 249, Garrison, NY, 10524