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.