R. James (Jim) Breslauer died on March 25, early in his 62nd year, from cancer. The loving husband of Patricia, father of Christina and grandfather of Brendan, Jim was a true renaissance man who valued history (particularly anything about World War I or II), single malt scotch and jazz, amassing an enormous and enviable collection of everything from standards to the newest and wildest improvisations.

Jim was a student always, leading him to become a valued computer programmer and consultant at Merrill Lynch for more than 20 years, an astute analyst of the financial and real estate markets, and a knowledgeable observer of everything from politics to social security to foreign affairs.

He was a voracious reader of books, blogs and newspapers and happily shared his learned observations whether over dinner or with a companion on his many long walks in and around Huntington and the Bay, often with his dachshund, Harry, in tow.

Jim was a very loyal son, changing his work patterns to make sure that his parents could continue to live independently until the end of their life by regularly telecommuting from their home in New Jersey. He also was one of those rare friends who actually offered his true opinion, a quality that, while off-putting at times, was always valued and often delivered with a biting humor. 

He was not a sportsman, but he was always happy to raise the flag for his grandson Brendan’s athletic feats. He watched and cheered, though family members knew he barely understood the game on the field or on theparquet. Still, it spoke to his generosity of spirit — making sure that he participated even though it was truly not his thing.

In another sign of his big-heartedness, Jim made an annual donation to Colgate University, his alma mater (Class of ’71) in his father’s memory. Although Robert Breslauer never graduated from college, he loved Colgate and his son’s affiliation. Jim returned that support by always giving in his father’s name rather than his own.

Whenever he traveled, he went fully engaged in his destination and returned with a deeper understanding of the place and the culture. In short, he made sure the excursion to something new — whether fully experienced or even on the written page — was fully absorbed and appreciated. And no trip tale was complete without significant detail of both the local delicacies andbeverages. In short, Jim was a real connoisseur of all things epicurean which gave him great pleasure in life.

In addition to his wife, daughter and grandson, Jim is survived by his son in law Scott Martin and his sister, Mary, and her wife, Rebecca Haag ,of Boston and Chilmark.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346 or directly online at colgate.edu.