James Lomuscio — a longtime journalist, former editor of the Westport News and Westport.com, and author of a book about the flooding of a Weston neighborhood for a reservoir project — died peacefully in his Weston home on Thursday. He was 71.
The Brooklyn native and St. Francis College graduate began his 50-year career as a reporter for L’Agenda, an English-Italian newspaper in New York.
In 1981 Jim joined the staff of Fairpress in Fairfield. He moved to Connecticut, where met his wife, raised a family and spent the rest of his life.
Jim Lomuscio
As a freelance journalist his writing appeared frequently in The New York Times, Connecticut Post, and dozens of other newspapers and magazines. He interviewed former presidents, gang leaders, astronauts and a grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. But his favorite subjects were the common people of Fairfield County.
As editor-in-chief of the Westport News Jim guided the paper to honors. He later led Westport Magazine, and WestportNow.com.
For decades Jim taught journalism, English, literature, business writing and a variety of other courses at Norwalk Community College and Western Connecticut State University.
While he took pride in all of his students’ journalistic accomplishments, he was especially pleased with the progress of many of his non-native English0speaking students, as they integrated into life in the US by learning to write well.
Jim authored several textbooks on writing and journalism. But his non-fiction book, “Village of the Dammed: the Flooding of a Connecticut Town” was his favorite, and garnered the most acclaim. He died in the midst of a book tour for a revised 20th anniversary edition of the book.
His obituary calls him “a loving husband, father and grandfather, who always put his family first. He cherished his relationships with his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, and everyone on his family tree.
“He was a loyal friend, who was always available to meet for a cup of coffee and a laugh. He was an honorable professor, whom students leaned on for emotional support. And he was a graciously generous and giving man to all who needed his help. A devout Catholic, Jim prayed daily for every person in his circle.”
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Christine; son James (Emily) of Pittsburgh, and daughter, Meredith Odierna (Michael); grandchildren James Francis, Harold, Johnna, Rocco, Paul, Mary Ann, Genevieve, Graham, Callahan and Margaret, respectively), sisters Mary (Nick)and Florence (Sheldon), and their children Joe). He was preceded by his brother Richard.
Visiting hours on Monday (Jan. 12, 4 to 7 p.m., Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown). A funeral service is set for Tuesday (Jan. 13, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown). Burial will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery. For online condolences, click here.
Wow. What a wonderful guy. Met him last year at the Westport library when he was speaking about Village of the Dammed, his book about the Weston reservoir. His publisher wanted 5 chapters for a 20 year update. I helped him by introducing him to many old locals.
Dear Dan,
I am profoundly grateful that it was you who broke this sad news. For the many years I’ve known you and Jim I’ve consider you the two finest newspaper writers that I know. Jim, because he had the art of writing news intelligently without a whiff of his own opinion or judgement. You, because your writing engages personally with the reader.
For decades, your collective gifts were the yin and yang that attracted us all as habitual readers of local newspapers and later, blogs.
It seems only right and fitting that you share this news and written eulogy.
I was good friends with Jo Fox Brosious, who owned Fairpress. We went to a Knicks-Celtics basketball game once in Massachusetts in the early or mid 1970s. I think we originally met when she hosted a student from Spain for a few weeks in the summer around 1971. However, I didn’t know Jim, but I do offer my condolences.
I was honored to be interviewed by Jim when he was updating Village of the Dammed, his outstanding book on the history of Valley Forge and the reservoir in Weston. He had a tremendous appreciation of the wonderful history of this area. He struck me as a true scholarly gentleman. His book will always remain part of his legacy.
Jim Lomuscio was an extraordinary journalist who set the standard for local news reporting. His stories had depth and perspective because he knew the people he was reporting on. Since he lived in the community, he understood the issues, the background and “the story behind the story”. And he had a wonderful sense of humor. Like others who have commented here, I was honored to have been interviewed by Jim throughout my time in public office.
My condolences to Christine and the whole Lomuscio Family. Jim was a passionate writer & talented journalist. I knew Jim for most of his career here in Westport and considered him a dear friend. Jim was always looking for the most ethical, balanced and fair way to report.
Something we need more of today.
His genuine love of the town and its people was always evident in his writings. Readers appreciated his thoughtfulness and insight.
We are going to miss you …but will always remember you.
Rest in Peace.
Mike & Carla Rea
I was so sad to hear this news. I just interviewed Jim, for the second time , on Village of the Dammed, and he was so pleased to be introducing a new generation of readers to this fascinating history of Weston. Jim was the best of the best of local journalism . He will be greatly missed . Here is the link in case you want to listen to Jim talking about the intentional flooding of a major part of Weston, and the creation of our reservoir .
https://shows.acast.com/the-lisa-wexler-show-1/episodes/james-lomusio
So sorry to read this — Jim was such a lovely man. I learned a lot from him as I taught him how to post on WestportNow.com and he taught me what to look for and correct when I needed to do some editing for articles when Gordon Joseloff became so ill. (I was the webmaster, not a journalist, so I needed his help, which he willingly gave.) His book was excellent. What a loss.
Jim’s journalism helped Homes with Hope expand its operation to include the five beds that provide shelter for women at the Gillespie Center. He helped Pete Powell fulfill that vision, and he was rightfully proud of his contribution. A very good guy.
Years ago the Times had a Connecticut Section on Sunday. Jim wrote an article about a Westport woman living in her car in the parking lot next to the Gillespie Center. She wore a mink coat, left over from her previous life. She was mentally ill, divorced and desperate. She would stay in the Gillespie Center during the day but had to go to her car at night. The Transit District had moved out of their small space at 45 Jesup Road and we wanted to open an overnight shelter there for single women. We were resisted in this because the argument was that there were no Westport homeless women. After the Times published Jim’s article we got the approval to go ahead. We named the women’s shelter, Hoskins’ Place after Ted. It’s still there.
Jim was editor when I worked at the Westport News and again when I was at Westport magazine. He was so smart, hardworking and a lot of fun to be around. Many fond memories.