James Bernard Gilrain, Jim, 94, of Somers, NY, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Jim was born on February 9, 1931, in Rutland Vermont to James and Dina (Bartalena) Gilrain. He is survived by his brother, David Gilrain, his wife, Sally, of 67 years, his four children—Jane, Jim Jr., Kathleen and Joy, his nephew Peter who joined the immediate family in 1967, and his five grandchildren—Michael, Aidan, Amanda, Liam and Rex.
Jim worked a variety of jobs throughout his life, first for his father as a bricklayer's apprentice for four years, then as a Journeyman in the Bricklayers Union during summers to pay for his college education. He attended Rutland Community College, SUNY Oswego and Saint John's University, finally earning a Doctorate of Education toward the end of his career. During his long career in education, Jim worked as a high school shop teacher, a guidance counselor and principal of the BOCES Vocational Technical School in both Carmel and Yorktown, New York from 1968 to 1992.
Jim enjoyed entertaining friends and family with his magic. He loved to ski and taught all of his children and grandchildren to enjoy the sport. He will be greatly missed.
