Jim Carncross was a mentor, friend, and leader in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and Trout Unlimited for many years, and those of us who’ve had the pleasure of his company will always cherish the impact he had on our lives. Much of his life was in service to others, and for that, we are grateful.  As a founding member of the PHWFF Syracuse, NY Program Jim brought his wealth of knowledge, observational wit, and driving passion to the program from its origins to the fully developed program it is today.

“Jim loved Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and helping the disabled veterans in our community that participated in the PHWFF program.  His contributions to both the local fly fishing and veterans communities through his involvement and leadership within Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing were tremendous and greatly appreciated.  His support of the disabled veterans that we served was steadfast.   I’m honored to have known Jim and to have learned from him.  I’ll forever relish the many years I had to share stories of time afield with him, to seek his tutelage behind the vise, and to celebrate our shared love of the outdoors and our home waters of Chittenango Creek.  He will be missed.” – Dan Morgan, Chief Marketing and Strategic Communications Officer and Syracuse PHWFF Volunteer

“Jim. My friend. My mentor. Master of the Ausable Wulff. He will be sorely missed.” – Lee Cameron, PHWFF Syracuse Volunteer 

“He always gave positive reinforcement. No matter how bad the fly you were tying turned out, Jim would always say, “That’ll catch fish” He always had a smile on his face.” – Ed Veaudry, Deputy Regional Coordinator NY/NJ and PHWFF Syracuse Volunteer 

James R. Carncross, 83, of Cazenovia and Old Forge, N.Y., died peacefully at home Tuesday, March 21, 2017. “Jim” was the son of Marion (Hills) and Ivan Carncross, he attended Pebble Hill School, Proctor Academy and graduated from Manlius Military Academy. He attended Norwich University and Syracuse University. Jim was a longtime member of the Dewitt Community Church and attended Summit Church of Cazenovia.

Mr. Carncross was the president and owner of Syracuse Chemical Company. He was a member of the Calvary Club, University Club, the Jamesville Sportsman Club and Trout Unlimited. Jim was a board member of CASA and a lifetime member of the NRA. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman who very much enjoyed sharing his interests with others. As a skiing instructor, he taught for the S.U. Women’s Gym, helped found the Drumlins Ski School and taught at Mystic Mountain and Toggenburg. As a NYSDEC Hunter Safety Instructor, Jim brought the sport of hunting to young and new hunters. He was an active member of Boy Scout Troop 118.
His greatest passion was fly fishing and brought the therapeutic benefits of the sport to the Syracuse V.A. Medical Center, Project Healing Waters and Clear Path for Veterans, teaching others to tie their own flies and the art of fly casting. Sharing his camp, Swift Water Lodge was “a little piece of Heaven on Earth” with his fly fishing buddies was something Jimmy truly enjoyed.
Jim is survived by his best friend and wife of 60 years, Susan Higgins Carncross; a son, Jamie (Terry) Carncross of Jamesville; a daughter, Beth Carncross of Cazenovia; grandson, Josh Carncross of Jamesville and a granddaughter, Sydney (Owen) Carncross German of Lafayette.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, March 30, at Summit Church, 21 Lincklaen St., Cazenovia. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Carncross may be made to Summit Church or to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing at  www.projecthealingwaters.org
To leave a message of sympathy for the Carncross family, please visit michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.