James W. Morton

James Walter Morton passed away peacefully on March 23, 2023 surrounded by his family at Shaker Place Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Albany, NY.

Jim was born September 8, 1944 in Syracuse, New York to the late Walter Woodrow Morton and Marion "Peg" Tieper Morton, and is survived his wife Sylvia Morton, sons Max Morton, Zak Morton, Joshua Morton, daughter Amanda Morton; grandchildren Ignatius Morton, Xavier Morton, Thaddeus Morton, Parker Totora; daughters-in-law Francis Carr-Morton, Kimberly Morton; sons-in-law Josh Totora, Guy Somsak Ketchat; and his beloved dog Abby. Jim was predeceased by his late brother Robert Morton, but is also survived by his sister Sharron Cointot, and numerous nieces & nephews.

Jim graduated from Cairo Central High School in 1963, earned a BA from Hobart, a MA from SUNY Albany, and a MS Biology from Cornell University. Jim continued his research at Cornell University then joined NYS Coastal Management Program, then the NYS Department of Conservation where he retired after 30 years of service.

While a teenager, Jim earned his New York State pilots license and his first date with his wife Sylvia was spent flying over the Catskill Mountains; thus, launching them both physically and emotionally into an enduring romance that led them through life's joys, its sorrows, greatest gifts, but most importantly, survives his passing! On August 26, 1967 they were married. Jim and Sylvia proudly served humanity and their country together in the Peace Corps from 1969 to 1972.

Jim was an expert fisherman and a member of Trout Unlimited, an avid gardener, a tree fort builder with his sons. Jim was a passionate environmentalist, an outdoorsman who loved hiking, camping, fishing, swimming and boating. Jim earned the rank of Eagle Scout at 16, and remained active in Scouting for all three of his sons with Troop 99 in Newtonville, NY.

Jim was an active musician who played several instruments, had collected thousands of records and CDs, and enjoyed music & theater performances. In the 80's and 90's, Jim was a member of the Colonie Town band and a member of the "Forever Young Singers" of the Beltrone Living Center in Albany New York. Jim had the gift of music passed to him from his mother, which he passed on to his children, particularly to his daughter Amanda. One of Jim's proudest moments occurred just three months ago when he rose unassisted to his feet from a wheelchair with the rest of the audience for a standing ovation after his daughter's first Broadway production ended.

Please join Jim's family and friends for a celebration of Jim's life at the Christ Our Light Roman Catholic Church, 1 Maria Dr., Loudonville NY on April 14th, at 11:00AM.