James Joseph Vreeland

On May 15, 2019, at the age of 86, beloved husband of Joan, devoted father of James and Kristen, loving father in-law of Arismendys Frias, adored grandfather of Brian, Alex, and Aris passed away peacefully at home.

James grew up in Brooklyn, NY, where he attended Holy Cross Elementary School and Bishop Loughlin High School. He then entered the religious order of the Brothers of the Christian Schools as Brother Cosmas Gregory. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the Catholic University of America in 1956, he taught at De La Salle Collegiate High School, Detroit, Michigan, where he also served as the track coach until 1958. His student-athletes presented him with a rock entitled "The Sisyphus Rock," on which they engraved, "Keep Pushing."

He entered into the Ph.D. program in the Philosophy Department at Saint Louis University in 1958. In 1963, he defended his dissertation on will and the loyalty principle in the writings of Josiah Royce. That year, he joined the faculty of Manhattan College, where he taught philosophy. While at Manhattan, he served as the chair of the Philosophy Department, was the faculty advisor for the student newspaper, The Quadrangle, and helped in the founding the college's chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

Committed to civil rights, James participated in the August 28, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Throughout his teaching career, he introduced to his many students the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

James left the Christian Brothers and married his dear wife Joan in 1970. He took a position at IBM as a writer and, later, a manager in publications. His IBM career began with an office in the famous Time-Life building in New York City, where he served as a mentor to his peers. This tightknit group transferred together to the San Jose Almaden plant in the Silicon Valley. After a decade there, he transferred back to the east coast plant in Kingston, New York.

After retiring, James returned to teaching. He offered courses in writing and philosophy at Ulster Community College. He also engaged in prison education programs, teaching incarcerated students at the Eastern NY Correctional Facility in Napanoch, New York.

James loved to travel, visiting several countries in Europe and Latin America and once climbing Machu Pichu. Among his many hobbies throughout his life were painting, gardening, running, writing, and taking his grandchildren to the Bronx Zoo. Perhaps his favorite was completing the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. James was a friend of Bill W.'s for over forty years where he was helped and in turn helped many others.

James was predeceased by his beloved brother, William E. Vreeland, loving mother Mae (née McGovern), and dear father William T. Vreeland.

A mass will be offered at the De La Salle Chapel at Manhattan College on June 16, 2019 at 11:00am, followed by a brunch reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

https://www.wcs.org/