James J. McCormack, Jr.

February 11, 1946 - March 21, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - James J. McCormack, Jr., 68, of Cooperstown, died Friday evening, March 21, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

Born February 11, 1946, Jim was the son of James and Gertrude McCormack and was raised in Tuckahoe. 

A self-made man, Jim was a talented woodworker who became interested in building furniture while on leave from a job as a child care worker in Rockland County. After working for Hunt Country Furniture, Jim developed his own business and opened Waterwheel Woodworks in New York's Hudson River Valley in Stanfordville. He chose the name because he was fascinated with the common sense and self sufficiency of waterwheels and windmills which power themselves.

Jim later moved to the Cooperstown area and established Waterwheel Woodworks and Dovetail Farm on Christian Hill, where he practiced sustainable farming. His designs and workmanship reflected his philosophy: simple, practical, beautiful and built to last. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and creating custom furniture for the Historic Beekman Arms, America's oldest inn. After retiring Jim's passions included environmental conservation, photography, writing poetry and kayaking.

Jim is survived by his partner, Pam Trickett, of Cooperstown; three sons, Jim McCormack III of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Bill McCormack and Kristin Janczewski of Missoulia, Montana, and Dan McCormack of San Diego, California; five grandchildren, Jack, Jane, Sheridan, Bill and Dan; a sister, Aileen McCormack of Athens, Ohio, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are welcome to remember Jim's life by calling at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, on Saturday, March 29, 2014, from 1-3 p.m.

As an alternative to flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's memory to Sustainable Otsego, Smile Train, and the Nature Conservancy.  

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.