Obituary for James "Jim" Bronson
James A. Bronson passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 17th at the age of 89 with loving family members by his side. He was born in Burlington, Vermont to Irving Ellsworth Bronson and Doris Austin Bronson. His mother died when he was three years old, and his father remarried seven years later. He was raised by his father and his stepmother Teresa Monet Bronson in Swanton, Vermont.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Esther MacPherson, his children Jim Bronson (Patty), Paula Bronson, Kevin Bronson (Millie), Jack Bronson (Pamela), Bethe Bronson (Jamison Suter), stepchildren Doug MacPherson (Eunja), Aaron MacPherson, Lauren MacPherson (Brian Keegan), 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His marriage to Joan Sexton Bronson ended in divorce.
Jim graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1953 with a degree in Political Science. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served 2 ½ years of active duty and an additional 20 years of reserve duty. During his 34 year career in the CIA, he worked for the Foreign Broadcast Information Service in Cyprus, Panama, Okinawa, and the Washington, DC area. After retiring, Jim moved to Burlington, Vermont in 1994 where he was active as a volunteer for St. Joseph’s Care Home where he met his wife Esther. He also volunteered for Vermont Catholic Charities. Jim and Esther married in 2014.
Jim and Esther were avid travelers and visited countries the world over. They often travelled to visit their children in their homes both domestic and abroad.
In high school, Jim was an excellent student, earning several Latin awards. He was a talented baseball and basketball player, playing on regional minor league teams in his teens and early twenties. He coached youth basketball for CYO teams including those of his sons. As an adult he became an avid tennis player. He continued to be a basketball fan particularly for the University of Vermont men's and women’s teams and was also a Boston Red Sox fan dating back to the days of Ted Williams. He supported his children’s endeavors, from sports, to art shows, to science fairs, and more.
A devout Catholic, Jim was a charter member of Holy Cross Parish in Kensington, Maryland. He was a member of Christ the King - St. Anthony Parish in Burlington, Vermont and was an active supporter of Right to Life causes.
Jim was known for his intellect and wit and was a voracious reader, particularly of history. He enjoyed all kinds of music ranging from swing, folk music, bluegrass, jazz, and especially opera. He and Esther made the annual pilgrimage to the Tanglewood Music Center for many years.
The family would like to thank the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Bennington, Vermont, especially Emily and Kim, for their care and support of Jim.
In Jim’s memory, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org or to Vermont Catholic Charities at https://www.vermontcatholic.org/ministries-programs/catholic-charities/ways-to-give/
A graveside service will be held in St. Albans, Vermont at a date to be determined.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Esther MacPherson, his children Jim Bronson (Patty), Paula Bronson, Kevin Bronson (Millie), Jack Bronson (Pamela), Bethe Bronson (Jamison Suter), stepchildren Doug MacPherson (Eunja), Aaron MacPherson, Lauren MacPherson (Brian Keegan), 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His marriage to Joan Sexton Bronson ended in divorce.
Jim graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1953 with a degree in Political Science. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served 2 ½ years of active duty and an additional 20 years of reserve duty. During his 34 year career in the CIA, he worked for the Foreign Broadcast Information Service in Cyprus, Panama, Okinawa, and the Washington, DC area. After retiring, Jim moved to Burlington, Vermont in 1994 where he was active as a volunteer for St. Joseph’s Care Home where he met his wife Esther. He also volunteered for Vermont Catholic Charities. Jim and Esther married in 2014.
Jim and Esther were avid travelers and visited countries the world over. They often travelled to visit their children in their homes both domestic and abroad.
In high school, Jim was an excellent student, earning several Latin awards. He was a talented baseball and basketball player, playing on regional minor league teams in his teens and early twenties. He coached youth basketball for CYO teams including those of his sons. As an adult he became an avid tennis player. He continued to be a basketball fan particularly for the University of Vermont men's and women’s teams and was also a Boston Red Sox fan dating back to the days of Ted Williams. He supported his children’s endeavors, from sports, to art shows, to science fairs, and more.
A devout Catholic, Jim was a charter member of Holy Cross Parish in Kensington, Maryland. He was a member of Christ the King - St. Anthony Parish in Burlington, Vermont and was an active supporter of Right to Life causes.
Jim was known for his intellect and wit and was a voracious reader, particularly of history. He enjoyed all kinds of music ranging from swing, folk music, bluegrass, jazz, and especially opera. He and Esther made the annual pilgrimage to the Tanglewood Music Center for many years.
The family would like to thank the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Bennington, Vermont, especially Emily and Kim, for their care and support of Jim.
In Jim’s memory, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org or to Vermont Catholic Charities at https://www.vermontcatholic.org/ministries-programs/catholic-charities/ways-to-give/
A graveside service will be held in St. Albans, Vermont at a date to be determined.