I had the privilege or presenting in a panel discussion with James at the American Society of Landscape Architects in Boston several years ago.  James spoke on the topic he was so passionate about; the improvement of planting soils through natural means.

James was one to buck the convenient, conventional trend of using synthetic, man-made fertilizers for soil improvement.  James favored natural systems using compost and its resident micro-flora and fauna as a slower but far more cost-effective means of means of adjusting soil texture and chemistry.

James was often seen as a voice in the wilderness.  He was an important voice nonetheless.  I would place him in the same pantheon as J. I. Rodale or Rachel Carson for his contribution to the ecological / environmental sustainability conversation.  It is an important conversation that we hope will continue to embrace his ideas as it evolves.

I have had the pleasure of working with James for the past 5 years.  He was such a pleasure to work with! He always had a wide smile, a pleasant good morning, and genuine care and concern for how my family and I were doing.  He was so well respected and admired in his field. We spoke often to review business matters with him always off to travel somewhere for work and I'd always leave off with "I'm praying for safe travels for you!"

He spoke of his family, going to Disney and his "little guy". I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet his family at least once. I pray for his wife and his children as well as his extended family. I pray that in this time of grief, that they are comforted in the warmth of their memories. Know that James was a pleasure to be around and we are grateful for the time he shared with us. 

I sincerely wish you peace of heart and mind, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.

With warm sympathies,
Marisa Thompson

James came to work for myself and Carl at Sunburst Tree, at his entrance into the tree industry. He had a great work ethic, and was a great employee. James went on to many ventures, and I worked together with him on some.  He, at my request spoke at some Conferences that I sponsored, and he gave me my most memorable moment, when he introduced me at some conference, when I was giving a speech. He told the crowd that I had helped train him to climb trees, and had showed him the most important knot, how to tie a beer can onto a climbing rope. Note: this was back in the bad old days of tree care, and I hope this training does not exist anymore! I will miss you James!

James was a good friend. 

He loved his family and that was the most important thing about him. I was privileged to get to work with James and grow as a person and a professional, but the passion for his work was just a reflection of the love that he had for his wife and kids. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

I will miss him.


Kathy,
My heartfelt condolences are being sent to you with mental hugs from Florida.  I pray that you and your children will remember all of the wonderful moments you have had together which will leave your hearts and souls filled with love and laughter when times become so challenging. I pray, also, for peace of mind and the courage and Faith to continue living life to it's fullest, with James always in your hearts.

James and I first met in a conference room at Princeton many moons ago. We were there to help get Princeton a better understanding of their soil issues for the campus. Many other projects since then, many other discussions and knowledge exchanges. James brought the soil biology aspect home  of why the soil is what my dad called the "elixir of life". I will miss him and the profession is diminished. 

It is with sadness that I send my condolences to the Sotillo family.  James was part of our Class of 1985 family, all who are a part, share in this loss.  I first remember James in 4th grade, Mrs. Donowitz class.  Oh, the crush I had on that brown eyed boy with big curly brown hair.  I was thrilled that he sat with me on the bus going on our class trip!  James was always a great guy.  Living in Florida, I cannot be there to offer my peace and prayers in person.  You are all in my prayers.  Know that God has James tightly held in his arms! I know many of the fellow “85” family will be there for you all. I will keep your family in my prayers.  God’s peace and presence be with you all.

James and I shared a lot, besides confusingly being in a lot of meetings where we were both being referred to as James S. 
But mostly when I think of James, or when I think of our Arch Grounds project, I think of the phenomenal effort he invested with us at MVVA and the City Arch River Foundation, to replace the Allees at the Arch Grounds. That was 869 matching Planetrees, moved from Halka nurseries to Hoette Farms and Nursery in New Florence just west of St Louis. Into a special temporary nursery care including, of course, lots of Compost tea- then the planting and additional care for the last couple years. 
I am very glad that he got to see that project successfully done- I know it was one of his greatest pride and joys to make that happen. 
Love to you and yours Sottilo

I attached a picture James took of the temporary nursery... using the drone skills he learned for the project :) 

It is painful to have lost such a true and sparkling friend.  James changed the whole direction of my life in 2013 when his impassioned plea for  healthy soil turned me into a soil scientist developing the tests he felt were needed to support regenerating soil.  In 2014, James and I and Brady Trexler incorporated Prolific Earth Sciences to develop these tests and in 2018 launched microBIOMETERtm the first simple test for microbial biomass and the the first ever cell phone test to analyze test results.  James was our beta tester, our critique and our cheerleader and inspiration.  He had more ideas that we could every investigate but together we made many discoveries.  I will miss his cheery "Good Morning" and the only hug he ever gave me on the day before he died as we finished working on the fungal test.  His love for his family defined him. One thing that remains in my memory was his sharing his last birthday, "How was it?  Iasked.  "Perfect, my wife and I walked on the beach -- it was perfect -- everything I wanted."

From all at Seans landscaping ,
We wish to pass on our deepest sympathy to the Sottilo family
and all at E L M
James was very good to us , teaching us every time he visited our projects , understanding the audience , guiding us to make our 
projects a success .
A good man gone !


James and I met at Rodale in 2011. After Super Storm Sandy we became very close talking daily over coffee. He would be driving in or out of the city while I was up at my shop/lab in Conn. We would geek hard about biology, the rythems of nature and macro and mico-ecosystems. We had too many debates to mention but the one I will cherish the most is about Biodynamics and its roll in our work. He was adamant (as always) that it was hog wash. I believed there was somthing to it. So I did an experiment were I tested the soil under one old Rhododendron every day for 45 days. At the end I corrollated the data and there was a rise of microbial action around the new and full moon and when I presented my findings to him he beat me to the punch with his data which concluded the same results. I will so miss his drive which pushed all to uncover the mysteries of nature. It saddens me to think that there are so few others out there that can carry the torch he was in such a big way. He will be truly missed by all he touched. God Speed to you brother, I will keep you in my mind, with thoughts and prayers to your family. 

As I sit here looking for the words to express my thoughts, I find myself trying to make comparisons and metrics that define how truly unique James was. But in doing so, I have come to realize that James will now be that metric by which I define others.  It wasn’t just his passionate embrace of exploration and innovation in the work - it was more than that.  It was that infectious personality and the brilliant spark of life that came bubbling to the surface just before he would make a joke.  Sometimes I would call him just to ask if there was any merit to some ridiculous idea that I conjured up. 

 “Mister R-o-o-o-ock…”  he would say, stretching the O just long enough to be funny but stopping just shy of obnoxious.  

Most times he would give the idea an honest spin in that wonderful brain of his and maybe it would net out to something we would kick around a bit.  Other times he would just tell me I was nuts – which I will probably miss more...

As others have shared, James spoke frequently and with pride of his family, the achievements of his children, and his love for them.  To his family, I would simply like to offer heartfelt thanks for sharing James with all of us.  Please know that we grieve with you, and that we are all better for having had him in our lives.  His brilliant spark will live on in all of us. 

When James discovered the rich biology that had developed in Memorial Park's very large mulch pile from the trees lost in the 2011 drought, he lit up like a child.  From that moment his enthusiasm was infectious. While I got to know James through his professional contribution to soils development of the park, his kind and generous nature made it easy to call him a friend.  We often shared stories about our children and their joys and accomplishments. His presence and true interest in others was larger than life and authentic.  He was creative and inventive in his approach to the environment and as I continue to realize his vision for ecological restoration of Memorial Park that starts with soil biology (formed in what he called 'legacy islands') my memories and fondness will continue to grow.

When I first met James, he took me to the Hi-line in NYC, where we toured Phase One which was just getting started. He was so exited to show me what he was working on.His enthusiasm was rare and always a part of his work. He was the best in so many ways; a great scientist and a great man. He will be sorely missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure to know him. Bless you James and your family. And thank you for everything you have  done both professionally and personally.

James was one of a kind. We shared a love of soil though honestly I was the bigger recipient in our passionate exchanges of information.  I worked with him for nearly 17 years on landscape projects all over the place and he always showed a passion for learning, researching, and taking the field farther. He was (and still is) one of the few soil biology professionals who was flexible and didn't mind being corrected or even proved wrong because his love for progress far outweighed his ego.  He had a far reaching network of colleagues in many different fields that he generously shared.  I don't know who will take up his work but someone should continue his legacy, it is so deeply needed.

Though most of my intersections with James came through our professions, his personal life with family and friends were always part of the discussion.  He loved both deeply and talked about them with such joy and pride.  I had the fortune of co-teaching with him at conventions and it was always an adventure. Once when he met with me to gain support for a big and pricey proposal he'd made to our client, he arrived at the meeting with a cake----bribery for sure but not needed since I was already certain his work would make a difference (it did).  Thereafter, no matter what the topic, James arrived with a sweet treat. I will miss his voicemails with excited news about something he'd learned and his hilarious sense of humor.  Too few years, James, but we are all lucky to have had them.

It is difficult to describe in a few words the great memories that we created together in our working trips. I can write a book about these memories. We joked and laughed all day while doing serious work. James was passionate about his family and about working in big landscape projects. We connected quickly after a few emails and phone calls in 2013.  He would call me in the mornings saying:”Good morning Efren! How are you this beautiful morning? He loved talking about fungal ecology, soils and plants. He challenged me constantly making me think while I was barely awake but I loved it.  He introduced me to real world problems in the big landscape business. He definitely made a big impact on me professionally. Ted Hartsig, Rob Rock, Samantha, Steve, all his colleagues and friends and myself will continue working together to carry his vision and legacy work with “the living soil”. 

Just wanted to share James and I had many, many great projects and many great times together. Times, I'll never forget. When we think of James a smile always comes to play. With love to Kathleen and their beautiful family.   

The first time I met James was at a BPCPC holiday party in the early 2000’s. I immediately knew he was kind, gentle and funny. I didn’t  realize his genius then but knew he was someone I needed to know. 
Like so many of his colleagues , he and I spoke about his professional love- soils.  His presentations at conferences were always thought provoking and humorous- James is always light hearted. 
He has helped to make many of New York’s open spaces thrive despite urban obstacles.  
I will miss him and his smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, know that James will always be remembered as a kind, gentle genius. 

James was a true visionary, a guy who deeply  loved his craft. Me and him would geek out about the science of plants, we were working on some very revolutionary things. The torch will be carried in your honor: I can only wish the world gets to truly be touched by your genius. 

If nothing else, James and I were brother geeks in all regards of soil. We shared a passion of this fundamental gift of the earth and how to make a better world starting, literally, from the ground up. We taught each other a lot, but I got the better end of the deal, as James had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and kept me and others on our toes with new ideas and new areas to explore. James was awakening the world in many ways.
Much more than that, however, and so much deeper was James' love for his family. He loved his wife Kathy so much, and his children are the foundation of all the love in his heart. He is (I can't talk about James in the past tense) so very, very proud of each of his three children. James and I spoke every day (I'm going to miss this so much), and every day he kept me updated on what was happening in his family - from college and plans for med school, to concerts and sweet 16 parties and trips to Europe, and winning science fairs and sharing his office and desk with his "little guy."
He lived life with great joy, and he never let a minute slip by without taking in the beauty around him. Many mornings when he would call me he'd start "HEY TED.... Guess where I am today." He shared a lot of great stories. 
James became a close brother to me, and I am thankful to God for such a great blessing. He was the very best of men, and it showed in his care and compassion for everyone. We will all miss James so much.

Jim was a dear sweet guy who had a wealth of knowledge.
He always had a smile and a laugh at the most important times.
The world was a richer place, with better soil, because of him.
Ed Hollander

Our firm was just beginning to work with James and his team. Through his approachable way and deep breadth of knowledge - we were inspired, and our eyes opened.  We know we are incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with him.  His spirit will be missed by our entire group and throughout the profession he helped so much. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this difficult time. I know many will agree his characteristic and comforting greeting still echoes in my ear.

Everyone in my world loved James, and I sure did.
 
We all know how much James loved his family – he talked about them all the time... he and I  would exchange tales of his kids and my grandkids every time we spoke. I send my love to his family and to James's friends, who miss him greatly.
 
As I remember James now, my favorite saying of his was, “Hey Mikey, just another day in paradise.”  He helped us in our work in so many ways.
 
James was pure sunshine...so strong, determined, smart, very hard-working; funny and  fun. And now, so missed.
 

I remember when he spoke at the ASLA Conference with Elaine. I got to introduce them. I wasn't sure how to introduce him; I mean could I really say soil wizard? He wanted to be introduced simply as an arborist. When he started speaking he talked about looking up at the sun and thinking about that energy. He could see the beauty in the natural world and understand the science that explained how it works, how incredibly, beautifully it works. He was that kind of guy, a guy who could sit in a field and feel the beauty of the world. 

l only met James this January but I talked to him 2-3 times a week since then as l had joined the team with microbiometer. in fact spoke to him on the morning of the 23rd and can still here his standard greeting " Hi  Erin,   how are you?" He always said it in a great NY accent. He was a wonderful guy and l looked at him as a big supporter and mentor. He will be dearly missed by our whole team. My deepest condolences to his family. He loved them very much and spoke very lovingly and effusively of them.

OBITUARY

James G. Sottilo

23 February, 1967 – 23 April, 2019

Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary

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