James Edward Gwynn

Albany - James Edward Gwynn was born in Colonie on the 18th of June 1921 to Arthur E. Gwynn and Helen Reagan and died on 20 April 2015 at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. At an early age his skill at drawing became evident and by the time he reached high school he was helping to conduct art classes for children at the Albany Institute of History and Art. He went to New York City to further his art training and, while still a student, was asked to become display director at Nevius-Voorhees, the principal department store in Trenton, New Jersey. He became a three-day commuter to that city, and it marked the beginning of a career in design for some of Manhattan’s leading retail establishments such as James McCreery & Co. and Bonwit Teller. In the early 1950s, James returned to Albany to continue his work in fashion, display, and interior design for which he was considered far and wide to have a remarkable ability and special flair. He resumed his affiliation with the Albany Institute, and for two decades worked with the committees responsible for staging the annual Champagne Balls. In 2005, the director of the institute let it be known that James Gwynn, longtime member, donor, and volunteer, had made through the Community Foundation a substantial planned gift which would ultimately benefit the institute library, considered by him to be an invaluable resource. In 2013, at the annual museum gala, James Gwynn and Norman Rice were honored for their life-long dedication to the Albany Institute. And a major exhibition, also in their honor, of the work of the famed Albany painter, Walter Launt Palmer, in now on view at the Institute. James Gwynn was a longtime member of The Cathedral of All Saints where he served as historian and from time to time as usher, acolyte, and sub-deacon. He was also a member of The Cathedral Restoration Committee. In 2014, he was awarded The Dean’s Cross in recognition of long and dedicated service to the Cathedral. He enjoyed a superb sense of humor, and laughter followed him all his long life. He enjoyed too the company of a host of friends, most now sadly gone, but the best-loved and most stalwart of these, Norman Rice, his companion for sixty-two years, survives him. Other survivors include his cousin, Constance Kiska Shuba of East Schodack and her three daughters. Also surviving are Norman Rice’s two nieces and three nephews of Marblehead, Massachusetts, all born and brought up with their beloved “Uncle Jim” a recurring presence in their lives. A funeral service for James Gwynn will be held on Saturday, 16 May at 2pm at the Cathedral of All Saints on the corner of Swan and Elk Streets in Albany. His ashes will be laid to rest in the cathedral’s columbarium. A reception and exhibition will be held following the service at The Fort Orange Club. Memorial gifts may be made to The Cathedral Restoration Fund of The Cathedral of All Saints, 62 S. Swan St, Albany, New York, 12210. To leave a message for the family, obtain directions, light a candle or view other helpful services please visit www.McveighfuneralHome.com

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James Edward Gwynn

June 18, 1921 - April 20, 2015