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| James J. Dyer |
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 Mr. James J. Dyer, 76, passed away at his home with his loving wife at his side on Friday, May 11, 2012.
Jim was born in Utica, NY, March 7, 1936, son of the late Clarence and Nina (Kutner) Dyer. He was educated in Our Lady of Lourdes School and Utica Catholic Academy. He attended Utica College and received his BA in English. Jim continued his education at Syracuse University where he received his Masters in Education, and then earned a PhD in English from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jim was joined in marriage on April 23, 1960, to the former Madeline Nicotera. Madeline was his friend, guide, and strength through over fifty years of marriage.
Jim served in the US Navy Seabees from 1955 to 1957 and later served for several years in the local naval reserve unit. His teaching career began at Proctor High School in 1963, and continued at Mohawk Valley Community College beginning in 1968. He was also an adjunct faculty member of other upstate New York colleges including Cornell University and the New School for Social Research. Although he retired from full-time teaching in 1996, he continued as an adjunct professor through 2011. Jim had a genuine passion for teaching - he received numerous excellence in teaching awards over the years, and MVCC established an annual scholarship award in his honor. He was a founding member of the MVCC Professional Association and a member of the American Legion New Hartford Post 1376.
Jim’s greatest joy was his family. He reluctantly leaves his beloved wife, Madeline; daughter and son-in-law, Anne(tte) and George Ellis of Clifton Park, NY; son and daughter-in-law, James Jr. and Katelyn Dyer of Fairport, NY; granddaughter, Riley Elizabeth Dyer, whom he loved so very much; brother and sister-in-law, William and Joan Dyer of Sauquoit, NY; sister, Mary Riley of Utica, NY; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Deborah Dyer of Bradenton, FL; two sisters-in-law, Geraldine “Geri” Dyer of Marietta, GA, and Annette Lindell of Oneonta, NY; and many nieces, nephews and cousins of whom he was very fond. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, John Dyer; sister, Joan Foley, brothers-in-law, Francis Riley and George Foley; and in-laws, Louis and Josephine Nicotera. He also leaves dear life-long friends who were like family to him.
His funeral will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Relatives and friends may call on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger Street, corner of Mohawk Street, Utica.
In memory of Jim please consider donations to the Dr. Jim Dyer Scholarship Award c/o of MVCC Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For directions to the funeral home, click the link above. |
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Message of Sympathy
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I will always have fond memories of Mr. Dyer in English class at Proctor High & MVCC. He was truly my favorite teacher of all time. He had a great sense of humor and made even an average student like me want to do well. He had a gift that allowed him to connect with all students. He was a great guy. My sympathies to his family.
Joe Carzo
Written by joe carzo
2012-05-12 2:06:27 PM
Barb and I would like to express our deep sympathy to Madeline and Jim's family on his passing. We did not know him well but the times we got to meet with him were most appreciated.
J&B
Written by John and Barbara Burns
2012-05-12 2:45:05 PM
To Jim's Family,
I had the pleasure and honor of knowing one of the finest teachers, mentors and friends at MVCC. It seems like I just talked to Jim a few weeks ago...during the Fall 2011 semester. I would see him sitting at a table in the AB Lobby and we would chat about how things were changing. He would always leave me with.."Keep the Faith Celia" I so admired him as did many others, most especially his students who learned so much from him and loved him. Jim's great Faith in God kept him so true. Jim was a wonderful man, a gentleman and a scholar. I will always remember our chats, about MV, about Hinkley, N.Y. and St. Ann's Church and most especially about how good life could be. I will remember his beautiful voice and the way he said my name. It sounded like a song when Jim said it. Rest in Peace kind and gentle man.
Celia
Written by Celia Domser
2012-05-12 7:59:07 PM
Dear Cousin Madeline,
You have been richly blessed to have had a husband who took time to listen with gentleness, genuine concern, and respect. He called you 'marvelous'! What an honor! All of his 'cousins' loved sitting on the porch at camp listening to his stories dotted with humor and 'artful language!' We will not only miss him, but we will miss another fine example of what life can be when FAMILY is sacred and when life is good!
We love you and pray for God's Peace.
Dan and Joanne
Written by dan and joanne destefano
2012-05-12 9:44:54 PM
Jim Dyer,
What a great instructor he was my English teacher in good old Proctor High. I always enjoyed his wit and his caring as a great humanitarian. We also tipped a few brews together over the years, my wife Marylou had him in her sophomore year. The world is now minus a great all around man, but heaven just got a real good center for their basketball team.
With our deepest sympathy
Out prayers are with you
Rick and Mary Lou Vellone
Written by Rick Vellone
2012-05-13 12:41:59 PM
Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the Dyer family on the passing of Dr. Dyer. He was a great man with an equally great sense of humor. I was also glad to have had the opportunity to attend one of his classes at MVCC.
Cory and the Janick Family.
Written by Cory Janick
2012-05-13 4:36:15 PM
MADELINE AND FAMILY, I WAS SO SHOCKED AND SADDENED THIS EVENING TO SEE TODAYS PAPER, ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR DEAR JIM. I KNOW THAT HE WAS A GOOD MAN, AND HAD A GOOD FAMILY. MOST OF ALL HIS FAITH WAS TRULY THAT OF A GOOD MAN, HUSBAND, AND FATHER.
I AM SO SORRY THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO BE THERE TO SHOW MY SUPPORT AND COMFORT.
MAY GOD WATCH OVER ALL OF YOUR FAMILY, AND I KNOW THAT JIM IS WITH OUR DEAR LORD; FOR HE WILL NOW BE OUR ANGEL.
Written by FLO WILSON
2012-05-13 6:24:39 PM
Madeline and Family: Our deepest condolences to you all. Jim was such a nice guy. I will always remember Jim's wonderful sense of humor. But most of all I will remember him for his great warmth and kindness.
Erik and Bobby Lindell
Written by Erik Lindell
2012-05-13 7:02:29 AM
Dear Madeline and Family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the very sad passing of your dear husband and father Jim Dyer. I knew Jim as both a contemporary shipmate in service to our county with the U.S. Navy Seabees, and as a teaching colleague with Mohawk Valley Community College. Those of us who remain behind are all certainly a bit less rich today as that fine gentleman, loyal friend, and remarkable great guy Jim Dyer now embarks on his new challenge. “Fair Winds And Following Seas.”
DJ Paul, CWO4 (ret)
United States Navy
Written by Dave Paul
2012-05-13 8:13:44 AM
Madeline i am stunned,shocked and saddend for your loss i can only say i am truely sorry please accept my condolences and my thoghts and prayers are with you
Tess Christiansen
Written by Tess Christiansen
2012-05-14 10:35:21 AM
Madeline and family,
Bill and I were so sad to receive the news of Jim's passing. Some of our favorite "upstate" memories are visiting with you and Jim at the camp! We greatly admired both Jim's wit and his intelligence, and know he will be dearly missed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
with love,
Anne and Bill Trapani
Written by Anne Trapani
2012-05-14 2:47:45 PM
May the memories and love your family shares, comfort you now and always. Greatness is never lost. It continues on, in the hearts and minds of those that were blessed to experience it; even for a moment.
Written by Heather Wood
2012-05-14 7:35:40 AM
Dear Dyer Family,
I had Jim for English at MVCC, and had the pleasure of meeting him again when I came to work at MVCC. When I say he was, not only my favorite professor, he was one of my most favorite people here at MVCC! I loved his kindness, his humor, that beautiful deep voice- and that he also remembered my father and the basketball games played at the KofC! I will miss him dearly!
Written by Geri Sultenfuss
2012-05-14 7:52:09 AM
My deepest sympathy to your family. Dr. Dyer was my favorite teacher at MVCC. I took several classes with him, eventually earning my BA in English. I credit him with reuniting me with my love of literature. We had a lot of great talks about true crime books, too. May you find comfort in the days ahead, knowing he touched so many lives.
Written by Mary Ellen F
2012-05-14 8:25:03 AM
Dear Madeline,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim was my teacher at MVCC and then a colleague and friend. He always commented on how well I spoke as a lector at Mt. Carmel and then would add--it was that Speech Class 101--of course HIS class. May your memories be his special gift to you. I am so happy we corresponded a few months ago.
Sincerely, Annette Guido
Written by Annette Guido
2012-05-15 5:13:31 AM
Madeline and Family: I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim was a leader and wonderful teacher who was well respected by colleagues and students alike. He often reminded me when we met on campus that we started teaching at MVCC the same school year and then continued as adjunct. He will be missed.
Penny
P.E. Dept.
Written by Penny Trojan
2012-05-15 8:28:46 AM
How shocked and sad I was to learn of Mr. (Dr.) Dyer's passing.
It has been decades since he was my MVCC English professor and I never saw him nor spoke with him after graduation.
Had I seen him in later years, I would have shook his hand and thanked him for appreciating my writings...and for offering me encouragement to produce more creative projects. His accolades did so much for my sense of pride and of self. I was an impressionable 18 year old kid who was receiving direction, acceptance and kudos for something I was learning. He got what I was writing. He got me. I saved those papers and his comments for years to remind myself of my having promise.
Thank you, Mr.Dyer. Peace be with you and your family.
Written by Nancy Cox Marafioti
2012-05-16 10:20:45 PM
Mrs Dyer, Anne, James Jr. and all Dyer family --
I am deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Anne, I shall remember your father in my prayers.
With deepest sympathies,
Theresa
Written by Theresa Tanous
2012-05-16 8:52:50 AM
Dear Mike, Debbie and Family:
I was so very sorry to hear of your dear Brother's passing Mike.
Please accept my expression of deepest sympathy.
God bless,
Michele Simmen
Written by Michele Simmen
2012-05-17 4:41:18 PM
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