Obituary of James Wilkinson

James (Jim) Wilkinson, 76, of Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim and the love of his life, Dee lived in Cortland, NY and Norwich, NY until 2002 when they started enjoying their retirement in Naples, Florida. Jim worked for 41 years for the NYS Department of Corrections starting as a correction officer in Sing Sing Correctional Facility and completing his career as a Superintendent at Camp Georgetown, Albion and Camp Pharsalia Correctional Facilities. Jim had a generous heart, warm smile and kind personality. He was a thoughtful listener and a dedicated husband, father, brother and friend. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He was an extraordinary cook, all round handy man and a master gardener. He was an avid reader always visiting the local library wherever he lived. He gave us endless wonderful memories showing horses with his daughter, traveling with his family and hosting picnics and parties. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Deanne (Dee) and his daughter Brenda Myers and son-in-law Larry Myers, his brother Glen Wilkinson and sister-in-law Sharon Wilkinson, nephew Glen Wilkinson and his wife Becky Wilkinson and many dear friends and extended family members and his three grand dogs, Madison, McKenzie and Sir Bentley. To say he will be missed seems insufficient. Dad will live in our hearts forever and we will hear him whisper "I love you" and forever find strength in his endless love. A Celebration of Life will be held in Cortland, NY on November 12th at 11:00 AM at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home at 9 Lincoln Ave, Cortland, NY. Please consider contributions in Jim's memory to the Lustgarten Foundation, Finding a Cure for Pancreatic Cancer, https://www.lustgarten.org or the Cortland Free Library, http://cortlandfreelibrary.org.