James E. Close

James E. Close of Interlaken, NY, passed away January 29, 2019 at Hospicare in Ithaca. He was born in Elmira, NY on January 16, 1931 to the late Julion and Clara Bolton Close.

He graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1949 and enlisted in the US Air Force. He served in Alaska during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in 1958.
Jim graduated from New York Institute of Photography and did freelance photography for many years. He began cooking while in the Air Force, and continued that vocation at Elmira College, Camp Seneca for Boy Scouts, and at Willard State Hospital. He retired from Willard in 1987 after many years as Senior Mechanical Stores Clerk.

Jim was a gifted musician - a tenor and self-taught pianist and organist playing by ear who performed at church, local restaurants, and community musical productions. He also played keyboard and accordian, and composed sacred songs for church. His artistic abilities included sign painting, cartooning, calligraphy, and cake decorating. He was also a carpenter, remodeling his home and building additions for over 50 years. He gardened and loved to mow and was known for his well-manicured lawn.

Jim loved children. The neighbor children became his family, calling him ‶Grandpa Jim″ and ‶Jimmy-Jim″. He was a mentor to several boys and has had a lasting positive impact on their lives. He has been a member of Interlaken Reformed Church since 1965, and also attended Trumansburg United Methodist Church since 2009. He was a trustee of Lakeview Cemetery in Interlaken for many years.

Jim was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Marion and Donald Washburn, his brother and sister-in-law J. Raymond and ‶Tootie″ Close, and brother-in-law Carl Proper.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Beverly P. Close; his daughters Lynda (Scott) Diamond of Interlaken and Julie Cross of Clay, NY; granddaughters Emily and Julia Diamond; sisters-in-law Shirley Early and Linda Proper; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Interlaken Reformed Church. A reception will be hosted at the church, immediately following the service. Interment will be held privately at Lakeview Cemetery, Interlaken at a later date.

Gifts in Jim❜s honor may be made to either Interlaken Reformed Church PO Box 335. Interlaken, NY 14847, Trumansburg United Methodist Church, PO Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886 or Hospicare Residence, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.