James "Jim" Stoll

James Edward Stoll, Lt Col, USMC, Retired, was abandoned as a newborn on the steps of the New York Foundling Home in 1941. He spent the first five years of his life shuttling between orphanages and foster care. By the age of four, this very intelligent little boy with a sad heart thought that there must be something wrong with him because everyone “brought him back” to the orphanage. He didn’t know, and nobody ever told him, that was how the foster system worked at the time. One day Leo, the name given him by the nuns, was brought to the office to meet a man and woman that he thought were like a prince and princess. They told Leo that they would like him to come live with them and be part of their family. They also told him that they would like to change his name to Jim. He told them that would be okay but that they’d bring him back just like everyone else! That couple were Ed and Marie Stoll, and they were his parents. Marie would walk the floor with Jim when he suffered with mastoiditis, and Ed would work a second job to provide special shoes that Jim needed. Additionally, the Stoll's introduced Jim to a wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins that he loved till his last breath. His memories of summers at Peach Lake in New York with his cousins were some of his fondest. Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18 and dedicated 26 years of his career to military service. During his military career Jim became a Naval Flight Officer, deployed to Vietnam, and served as an Assistant Defense Attaché, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. Jim received several awards for his exemplary military service to include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star with V. As an insatiable learner, Jim studied four languages and a host of other subjects. Upon retirement from the military, Jim continued his career in civil service with the federal government both in the United States and abroad. Outside of work, Jim was an avid reader and a music lover. He enjoyed cycling, racquet ball with friends, skiing, snorkeling, and diving before he became ill. He always had time for his children and their friends, and many of those friends still call him Dad. There’s always a story from one or another about a water fight or a funny joke he told or a life lesson he taught. Jim passed away on Tuesday, February 9, after a long illness, less than two weeks shy of his 80th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Marie Stoll; and by his sister, Helen. Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane; by his children, Jim, Mike, and Michelle and their families; by his nephew, Jon and by extended family in New York and New England. Jim’s family and many friends will dearly miss his presence, his quick sense of humor, his curiosity, and his intellect. In tribute to a great man, in celebration of a wonderful life, go with God, Jim, and know you will always be loved and never forgotten.