James Irwin Deyette

Jim was born on January 1, 1943 and moved from Hudson Falls to Glens Falls as a young boy. He graduated from Glens Falls High School and had recently attended a class reunion in September of this year. Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force in his early twenties and served as a military police officer in France and England. One of the most memorable moments of his service was his participation in a special assignment team involved in the extradition of James Earl Ray, who assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, in July 1968. While stationed at RAF Lakenheath, he met his wife, Joan (Allsop) Deyette. Jim and Joan married in England in 1969 and moved back to the U.S. in 1970, settling in Jim’s hometown and raising two children.

Jim enjoyed a long career as an underwriter in the insurance industry, starting at the Glens Falls Insurance Company in an entry-level position and continuing his work as the company became part of Continental Insurance and CNA Surety, rising through the ranks to underwriting manager. He retired from CNA in 2005.

As a young father, Jim earned an associate’s degree from Adirondack Community College while working full-time. Jim coached several youth sports teams in Glens Falls, volunteered with Boy Scouts, and served in many roles (usher, eucharistic minister, bingo worker) at St. Alphonsus and St. Mary’s parishes. Jim also served on the Glens Falls Zoning Board of Appeals, including five years as chair. After his move to Florida in 2009, Jim was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Melbourne and served on the vestry and was church treasurer. Jim was an avid golfer for much of his adult life and developed a love of crime novels and thrillers in his retirement.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Joan, who died in 2000. He is survived by his son, Mark Deyette and his wife Michelle Wilhardt of Phoenix, AZ; his daughter Rachel Deyette Werkema and her husband Joel Werkema of Ashland, MA; and 4 grandchildren, Clara and Olivia Werkema and Andrew and Elizabeth Deyette.

Jim is also survived by his devoted partner of over 13 years, Deb Hartegan, of Melbourne, FL. Her family also mourns his passing, including Deb’s children Allyson Norman and her husband Erik of Winter Garden, FL; Brett Cockheyt and his wife Crissy of Ocilla, GA; Robert Daniel of Melbourne Beach, FL; and Shea Harrel and her late husband Brett of Kansas City, MO; and Deb’s 8 grandchildren, Fynleigh and Maverik Norman, Dillin and Abby Cockheyt, Mitch and Kierston Brock, and Remy and Brogan Turpin.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Nathalie and Lester, and by his brothers Raymond, Ronald, and William Deyette. He is survived by his sister Marilyn Dempster and her husband Bob, his brother David, his sisters-in-law Bobbie Deyette and Shari Deyette, and many nieces and nephews as well as their children.

Jim was also predeceased by many of Joan’s brothers and sisters in England; and is survived by Joan’s sister Valerie and her husband Tom, her brother Gerald and his wife Josephine, sisters-in-law Margaret, Jill, and Judy, and many English nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

A funeral service is planned for St. Mary’s Church, Glens Falls, NY, on December 29 at 10am. Weather permitting, burial of ashes will take place after the service, followed by a reception celebrating Jim’s life. A separate service will be held in Melbourne next year.

The family respectfully suggests that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Jim make a donation to the Christ Episcopal Church Youth Fund at190 Interlachen Road, Melbourne, FL 32940 or to their local community college.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Deyette family.