Dr. James Walker Innes

James W. Innes, MD, 79, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2011, with his family by his side. Born on October 14, 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late John P. and Eleanor Innes, he was the beloved husband for 56 years of Eleanor Eggers Innes. He was the cherished father of Deborah Innes and Pamela Strasburg, and her husband Mark of Doylestown PA, and was the proud grandfather of Emily and Christopher Strasburg.

James graduated Phi Beta Kappa with highest honors from Williams College in 1956, after serving in the United States Navy. He earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1960 at Cornell University Medical College where he became a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. He trained at New York Hospital and Yale University Medical Center. Dr. Innes practiced Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology in Greenwich from 1964 until 1997, when he retired from private practice. During those years he held multiple leadership positions in local, state and national medical organizations as well as being active in medical education in Greenwich and held an appointment at Yale University. He served on the Legislative Advisory Committee for the Fairfield County Medical Association and was a long term member of the House of Delegates of the Connecticut State Medical Society. He was a gifted and trusted physician who was devoted to his patients and loved the practice of medicine.

A resident of Greenwich for over 47 years, he was active in multiple local activities including service on the Board of Education, long term membership in the town legislative body, chairmanships of several committees, leadership of the Riverside Community Association, Friends of Greenwich Point and faithful service on the vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Since retirement, he has been a dedicated volunteer in Riverside Elementary School, reading with first grade students, serving as an outstanding role model through his kind and respectful mentoring. He was devoted to his community and took pride in his service to the Town of Greenwich.

Above all, he found great joy and fulfillment in sharing the pleasures of life with friends and family. He was passionate about travel, sailing, skiing and golf and was a member of Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich for over 40 years. He enjoyed participating in functions with the Retired Men’s Association and the Horseneck Club and spending winters with Ellie at their home in Bonita Bay, Florida. He possessed a love for entertaining and made many new friends since recently moving to Edgehill. He will be remembered and cherished by his family as an extraordinary father, grandfather and husband. He is also survived by his brother John Innes and his wife Marianne, his brother-in-law Richard Eggers and his wife Lynda and his beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, September 10 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Riverside. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Friday, September 9 at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s name to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878. The Innes family extends its heartfelt appreciation to all on staff at Greenwich Hospital for their compassionate care of their colleague.