Obituary of James Herman Wilkinson

Canton, NY – Feb. 2 --

  James Herman Wilkinson (Jim) passed away at his home in Canton, NY on February 1, 2024.  He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jean (Laidlaw) Wilkinson, and two daughters; Bonnie Wilkinson Mark (Charlie), of Hershey, PA, and Victoria A. Wilkinson, of Fredericksburg, VA; and one granddaughter, Holly Wilkinson, of Fredericksburg, VA.

Jim was born on April 12, 1934, in New Milford, PA the son of Ralph G. and Erma (Miller) Wilkinson.  He graduated from Johnstown High School, Johnstown, NY in 1952.  He attended St. Lawrence University before serving in the U.S. Marines from 1954-1956 at Camp Lejeune.  After completing his tour of duty, he transferred to Rensselaer Polytechnic University (RPI).  He met his wife, Bonnie Jean (BJ), while he was at St. Lawrence University, and they were married on August 10, 1957.  He graduated from RPI with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction in 1959. 

Jim worked for the Stanley Corporation in New Britton, CT, before moving his family to Northern Virginia where he worked for the Minchew Corporation building houses in Camelot in Annandale, VA.  He started his own business, Fireside Homes, constructing houses in residential developments in Northern Virginia.  It was then that he started working for Marriott Corporation as a Project Manager, in charge of the construction of new hotels and additions to existing hotels.  He retired from Marriott in 1988.

Jim enjoyed playing golf, and building bookshelves for family and friends.  He enjoyed spending time at their cottage at Fine View, Thousand Islands, and fishing for Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass on the St. Lawrence River.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the St. Lawrence Valley, Potsdam, NY  and to the Antique Boat Museum, Clayton NY.

Lawrence Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Canton, NY is handling arrangements.